Teachers can now use AI to mark homework and write to parents, says new guidance
The government has issued its first AI guide for schools – but what does it mean for your child’s education?
Teachers in England have been officially told they can use artificial intelligence (AI) to help with marking and admin, under new government guidance aimed at cutting workloads and boosting teaching time.
The Department for Education (DfE) says AI can be safely used for “low-stakes” marking – like homework or quizzes – and even for writing routine letters to parents, such as head lice notices or reminders about school trips.
It’s the first time schools have received official training materials on how to use AI tools like ChatGPT – and it’s all about saving teachers time for the things that matter most: engaging directly with pupils.
What tasks can teachers now use AI for?
According to the new guidance, teachers can use AI to:
- Mark homework and quizzes – but only “low-stakes” work, and only if they check the results manually
- Write standard letters home – like notices about head lice or term dates
- Draft emails and communications, using the tone and format of previous messages
But the guidance is clear: AI should support teaching, not replace it – and teachers must always check what the AI produces to avoid mistakes or misinformation.
Why is this happening now?
Teaching unions have long warned about unsustainable workloads. The hope is that AI can take on repetitive admin, helping to free up time for face-to-face teaching and pupil support.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “We’re putting cutting-edge AI tools into the hands of our brilliant teachers… freeing teachers from paperwork so they can focus on what parents and pupils need most.”
Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the ASCL (Association of School and College Leaders), said many schools were already using AI “safely and effectively” – and this could help with staff recruitment and retention too.
What are the concerns?
While there’s support for the time-saving benefits, experts are also urging caution.
Emma Darcy, a school leader and digital consultant, said teachers had a “moral responsibility” to learn about AI – because pupils are already using it themselves.
“If we’re not using these tools… we’re not going to be able to confidently support our young people,” she told the BBC.
But she also warned: “AI can come up with made-up quotes [and] facts. You have to make sure you don’t outsource whatever you’re doing fully to AI.”
Could this change how schools communicate with parents?
Yes – and that’s why some parents may notice a difference in how letters and emails are worded.
The DfE says teachers must be transparent about AI use and that schools should have clear policies. But education experts like Julia Adamson of BCS (the Chartered Institute for IT) say teachers will need more support on how and when to disclose AI use to parents.
“Teachers will want clarity on how they should be telling parents where they’ve used AI,” she said, warning against adding “additional pressures and reporting burdens”.
What’s happening in the rest of the UK?
Scotland and Wales have both issued similar advice, saying AI can be helpful if used “professionally and responsibly”. And in Northern Ireland, a new study is underway to assess how AI could improve learning outcomes.
As schools increasingly embrace AI tools, parents can expect to see subtle changes in how teachers manage their workloads – but face-to-face teaching and personal feedback remain firmly in place. For now, it’s about striking the right balance between tech and the trusted human touch.
Read more:
Authors
Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.