Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Our AI vision, values and ethos for learning, teaching and operations.
Why AI Matters
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly becoming part of everyday life, shaping how we work, communicate, create, and make decisions. As a school, we believe it is our responsibility to prepare young people not just to live in this changing world, but to engage with it thoughtfully, ethically, and wisely.
We recognise that AI can prompt curiosity and opportunity, but also uncertainty and genuine concern. These responses are entirely understandable. Our intention is to explain our thinking clearly, reassure you about the safeguards in place, and invite you into an ongoing conversation as we move forward together.
Our Values and Vision
St Paul’s has a long-standing commitment to using technology carefully, purposefully, and in ways that support learning. Our approach to AI is firmly rooted in our Catholic ethos and our commitment to educating the whole person. We believe that:
Human Dignity
Every person is created in the image of God and therefore deserves dignity, safety, respect, and truth.
Human Connection
Technology should enhance human connection, never replace it.
Ethical Growth
Schools have a responsibility to help young people grow into ethical, thoughtful, and critical digital citizens who can navigate a changing world with wisdom and compassion.
Empowered Choice
Our community should feel empowered, not pressured, to use AI at the right time and in the right way. It is a supportive tool, not an expectation.
At St Paul’s, we approach AI with hope, humility, and care. We believe it is possible to embrace new technologies while remaining deeply rooted in our values, our faith, and our commitment to young people.
A Thoughtful and Measured Approach
AI technology is developing rapidly, but our response at St Paul’s is deliberately careful. We believe in thinking fast but acting slow.
This means reflecting thoughtfully on ethical, educational, and safeguarding implications, and ensuring that any use of AI genuinely supports learning and well-being.
We recognise the real concerns about AI in education. At the same time, we believe it is important to be brave enough to educate students about AI as part of preparing them for life in a changing world. We aim to help young people develop understanding, discernment, and wise judgement.
Students’ choices now and in the future should be grounded in strong morals, shaped by our Catholic ethos, and informed by an ability to engage critically with the ethical questions AI raises in society.
We will continue to use AI in ways that genuinely support learning, prioritising careful, well-considered decisions that place the needs, dignity, and well-being of our students first.
Guided by Expertise and Safeguarding
We have been working hard to develop a shared approach to AI that reflects the fast-moving nature of this technology while ensuring full compliance with modern guidance, best practice, and recommendations, including:
Safeguarding, data protection, and age-appropriate use sit at the centre of every decision we make.
We are also proud to be one of only 100 schools nationally selected to take part in The Big AI Project, contributing to the development of AI curriculum, governance, training, and student guidance that will be shared nationally in the coming months. This experience has helped us ensure our approach is robust, ethical, and carefully considered.
Protecting Learning
One of the most common and understandable concerns about AI is students shortcut their learning.Â
We share this concern and our position is clear: AI must support thinking, not replace it.
Students are taught that learning involves struggle, reflection, practice, and growth. AI may be used to clarify ideas, improve drafts, and ask better questions, but never to avoid effort or bypass understanding.
We are planning further structured work with students to help them use AI responsibly and effectively, and will provide guidance for parents and guardians throughout the year.
A Few Simple Rules
OUR 15 AI IDEAS
to reinforce learning, enhance understanding, and promote active engagement
Our Approach by Year Group
Years 7 and 8
AI tools are blocked on school-managed devices, as most are not age-appropriate for under-13s.
Students are introduced to AI in a highly structured way through form time and lessons, focusing on understanding what AI is, developing strong learning habits, and using technology to enhance learning rather than replace it.
They also learn about the risks of shortcutting learning and how responsible AI use can support ethical, reflective, and resilient learning habits.
Years 9 to 13
We recognise that older students are already engaging with AI. Access to AI on school-managed devices is limited to Copilot Chat within Microsoft 365, which provides a safe and contained environment aligned with our safeguarding and privacy standards. Other AI tools are blocked on school-managed devices.
Copilot Chat operates within the school’s Microsoft 365 environment and does not share prompts with public AI models. Its use is guided by teachers’ expectations, with a clear emphasis on academic integrity, ethical reflection, and responsible use.
This approach allows us to prepare students for a future in which AI will be commonplace, while ensuring that its use remains safe, appropriate, and educationally purposeful.
What We Have Already Put in Place
Over the past year, we have taken careful and deliberate steps to ensure that our approach to AI is thoughtful, responsible, and rooted in our values. These actions reflect our commitment to supporting both staff and students as we navigate this evolving area together.
Established a clear AI ethos and shared expectations for staff.
Provided guidance to students through assemblies and tutor time.
Planned further learning on AI ethics and responsible use.
Reviewed our curriculum to ensure AI supports, rather than replaces, learning.
WE ARE LISTENING
We understand that many parents and guardians may feel concerned about AI’s role in education and its impact on children’s thinking, creativity, and character. We are committed to listening carefully, communicating openly, and adapting our approach in response to feedback and emerging evidence. We are on an ongoing, collaborative journey together.
We are committed to keeping parents and guardians informed as our work develops. This includes open communication, opportunities for discussion, and listening carefully to feedback and concerns.
Help & Support
We Are Listening
We understand that many parents and guardians may feel concerned about AI’s role in education and its impact on children’s thinking, creativity, and character. We are committed to listening carefully, communicating openly, and adapting our approach in response to feedback and emerging evidence. We are on an ongoing, collaborative journey together.
We are committed to keeping parents and guardians informed as our work develops. This includes open communication, opportunities for discussion, and listening carefully to feedback and concerns.
USEFUL LINKS
Thank you for your trust, your partnership, and your willingness to engage thoughtfully in this important conversation.
Environmental Responsibility
We recognise that AI technologies rely on significant computing power and energy use. As a school, we are mindful of the environmental impact of digital technologies, including AI.
Our approach prioritises purposeful, proportionate use of AI to support learning, rather than unnecessary or excessive use.
We encourage students, staff and our wider community to think critically about the wider impact of technology, including environmental considerations, as part of their digital literacy and ethical understanding.