As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes a central part of our daily lives, schools face the challenge of integrating it meaningfully and ethically into their operations and curricula.
To help schools navigate this complex landscape, the Good Future Foundation has introduced the AI Quality Mark, a comprehensive framework designed to guide schools that excel in adopting AI responsibly.
With its commitment to bridging the digital divide, all of the work that the Good Future Foundation conducts, including the Quality Mark, is completely free to non-fee paying schools.
This initiative acknowledges that AI is not just another technology for schools to teach about, but a transformative force that has the potential to reshape education, administration, and the future of work for everyone.
By earning the AI Quality Mark schools can signal their commitment to preparing students for an AI-driven world while ensuring due thought has been given to inclusivity, safety, and ethical considerations.
What is the AI Quality Mark?
The AI Quality Mark is intended to be a road-map for schools to evaluate and enhance their engagement with AI across multiple dimensions. It encourages schools to integrate AI effectively while fostering a culture of innovation and ethical responsibility. Key areas of focus include:
- Leadership and vision: Embedding AI in a school's strategic plan requires strong leadership and a clear vision.
- Curriculum planning: AI should be woven into the curriculum, not as a standalone subject but across disciplines.
- Teaching and learning: Teachers need to be equipped with appropriate AI tools to use in classrooms.
- Assessment: Establishing fair policies around AI in assessments is critical.
- Professional development: Continuous training for staff ensures that AI is embraced and understood.
- Enabling students: Appropriate guidance and tools are in place to enable students to make use of AI tools to enhance their learning.
- Operational aspects: AI can streamline administrative functions, from HR analytics to resource management.
- Working with parents and carers: A transparent approach to AI builds trust and understanding within the school community.
- Ethics, bias, and safeguarding: Schools must teach students about the ethical implications of AI and ensure its safe use.
Schools are assessed on each area and awarded the AI Quality Mark at three levels: bronze, silver, and gold. Bronze requires a basic level of engagement while gold signifies exemplary integration and leadership in AI education.
Practical benefits for schools
AI is already reshaping the world of work, and education cannot afford to lag behind. Preparing students for the future involves more than just teaching them to use AI tools, it requires instilling a deep understanding of AI’s capabilities, limitations, and an awareness of the ethical considerations.
The AI Quality Mark provides schools with a structured way to address this challenge. For students, this means learning how to use AI responsibly and effectively, ensuring they are ready for higher education and careers in an AI-infused world. For staff, it involves CPD to stay ahead with how these technologies can enhance their teaching methods and administrative roles.
Achieving the quality mark comes with benefits including:
- Recognition: Schools receive a certificate and can display the AI Quality Mark logo on their website and stationery.
- Actionable feedback: After achieving the Quality Mark, schools are provided with a tailored action plan to guide further improvement.
- Professional guidance: Schools applying for the Quality Mark benefit from two online meetings with a Good Future Foundation assessor, offering insights and support.
A framework for self-assessment
The Good Future Foundation encourages schools to use the AI Quality Mark framework as a tool for self-assessment. Even without applying for formal accreditation, schools can evaluate their strengths and identify areas for growth.
The framework’s design ensures that schools can adopt AI at their own pace. For example, a school might start by focusing on leadership and curriculum planning before advancing to more complex areas like operational integration and student empowerment.
The real benefits of the AI Quality Mark come from the journey of reflection and planning that schools go through as they complete their self-assessment.
Ethical considerations in AI integration
One of the key features is the quality mark’s emphasis on ethics, equity, and inclusivity. The framework prompts schools to consider critical questions, including:
- How can AI tools be used without reinforcing biases?
- What measures are in place to safeguard students?
- How do we ensure AI supports rather than marginalises SEND, EAL, and other diverse learners?
By embedding these considerations into the framework, the AI Quality Mark ensures that schools address not only the technological aspects of AI but also its societal implications.
Supporting equity
The Good Future Foundation recognizes that AI integration should not be a privilege reserved for well-funded schools. As such there is no charge to the school.
Julie Carson, director of education at Woodland Academy Trust, the first group of schools to be awarded the AI Quality Mark, explained: “The quality mark provided a structured framework that allowed us to clearly identify our strengths in AI integration while also highlighting the next steps we need to take. The logical progression through the key aspects of leadership, curriculum, and professional development helped us plan effectively.
“For schools just starting out in AI, it is an excellent guide. It demystifies the process of incorporating AI into education, offering clear, actionable steps. The self-assessment tools and support from the Good Future Foundation gave us the confidence to move forward.”
Looking ahead
The AI Quality Mark is not designed to be a one-time achievement but an on-going journey. Schools must be reassessed every three years to maintain their certification, ensuring they remain at the forefront of AI education. This iterative process encourages schools to keep innovating, adapting to new technologies and challenges as they move towards the gold award.
As AI continues to evolve, so too will the AI Quality Mark. We will be updating the framework to reflect emerging trends and technologies.
For educators and leaders, the AI Quality Mark is a call to action – it challenges schools to think critically about their approach to AI, embrace innovation, and sets a benchmark for best practice.
- Dr Andy Kemp is principal of The National Mathematics and Science College in Warwickshire and a member of the Good Futures Foundation Advisory Council.
Further information & resources
- For more information on the AI Quality Mark and the work of the Good Futures Foundation, visit https://goodfuture.foundation