The Prompt – (Issue 10)
Welcome to Issue 10 of The Prompt! We hope you had a restful, well-deserved summer break. As a new school year begins, our mission is to ensure South Tyneside schools stay ahead of the curve. Whether you are an AI novice or an AI expert, this is your weekly home for the tools and digital principles defining the future of education. Each week, we’ll deliver three or four essential updates ranging from DfE policy shifts to time-saving classroom hacks specifically curated to reduce teacher workload and enhance learning across our South Tyneside community as safely as possible.
Save the Date: Apple RTC Autumn Conference 2026
We are thrilled to announce that the Apple RTC Autumn Conference will be hosted live at The Word, South Shields on Thursday, 22nd October 2026!
This whole-day event will focus on two of the most critical topics in EdTech today: AI & Accessibility.
Join us to connect with educators and experts, discover innovative ideas and practical strategies, and explore inclusive approaches that empower every learner.
AI Champions Work Group
Haven’t nominated an AI Champion yet? Click the link to access our nomination form: CLICK HERE
⚠️ CHANGE TO DATE – NOW Wednesday 18th NOVEMBER
Next meeting: Wednesday 18th November 2026 (16:00–17:30)
Venue: The Word, South Shields
Contact: Julia Small to book a place:[email protected]
Item 1: Schools ‘Crying Out’ for AI Guidance as Major Report Warns System is Unprepared
A landmark report by Sir Anthony Seldon and Tim Bunting, published by Public First and featured on the BBC News, warns that English schools are attempting to educate for an “AI-less world that no longer exists.” Describing the current adoption of AI in classrooms as “chaotic and anarchic,” the authors urge the government to treat AI integration with wartime-level urgency.
- The Reality Gap: Polling of 4,000 young people shows that 87% of 11–24 year olds have used AI (e.g., 53% for homework and 77% to explain difficult concepts). However, only 30% of pupils report that their school has clear, explainable rules around AI use.
- The Teacher Literacy Gap: While 38% of pupils believe they are better at using AI than their teachers, Education Society research shows only 14% of educators feel confident in their AI literacy.
- Core Recommendations: The report calls for a vaccine-style “rapid response unit” outside the DfE, governor-approved school AI strategies by September 2027, staff and student “AI Champions” in every setting, and Ofsted inspections that evaluate AI innovation. It also advocates reforming qualifications into a hybrid assessment model that combines traditional exams with continuous, AI-supported evaluation of unique human competencies.
Item 2: GenAI Misconceptions Guide
What we think we know about Generative AI shapes how we use it, and common myths can lead to misplaced trust, privacy risks, or missed errors. To help educators and students start the school year on the same page, AI for Education has released the GenAI Misconceptions resource.
The guide dismantles common myths—clarifying that GenAI is not a search engine (it predicts statistically likely text rather than retrieving facts, which is why it can hallucinate) and reminding us that a confident, polished response is no guarantee of accuracy. It serves as an ideal, quick-read resource for staff CPD sessions or early classroom discussions around academic integrity.
🔗 Access the free resource at: aiforeducation.io
Item 3: The Good Future Foundation AI Quality Mark
As schools look to embed AI safely and strategically this year, leaders should explore the Good Future Foundation’s AI Quality Mark.
Created by school leaders and reviewed by AI specialists, this developmental framework is far more than a tick-box exercise. It provides a structured self-assessment process to audit current AI usage, mitigate risks, and establish an ethical roadmap forward. Achieving the Quality Mark is a clear signal to staff, students, governors, and parents that your institution is committed to responsible innovation.
🔗 Learn more and start your self-assessment at: goodfuture.foundation/ai-mark
Question of the Week
“Given that 87% of pupils are actively using AI for learning but only 30% report clear guidance at school, does your setting currently have an explicit, pupil-facing AI policy in place for this term?”
Contact Us
If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact:
Steve Robert:[email protected]
