Epsom College becomes first independent school to achieve Explorer Level

Epsom College has become the first independent school in the UK to achieve Explorer status within the AI in Education Certified Framework - recognition that the College is among the national leaders in embedding artificial intelligence responsibly into teaching and learning.

For parents, the certification provides something concrete: assurance that their children’s use of AI at Epsom is guided, purposeful and grounded in strong educational values. Pupils are learning not only with AI, but about it – its possibilities, its limitations, and the ethical questions it raises.

At Epsom, this work is already well underway. Staff and pupils are developing confidence with AI tools while maintaining a strong emphasis on critical thinking, academic integrity and human creativity. AI is being used to enhance lesson design, enable more personalised feedback, and help pupils engage more deeply with complex ideas – not as a replacement for excellent teaching, but as a means of strengthening it.

Mark Lascelles, Head of Epsom College, said: “Our whole philosophy is about delivering an all-round education - equipping pupils to navigate the world beyond Epsom, not just the exams they sit while they’re here. We may not be able to predict exactly how AI will have shaped the world by the time our pupils leave us, but we can ensure they engage with it thoughtfully, think critically about its implications, and develop the confidence to harness its potential.

When AI in Education was founded in 2023, few could have anticipated how quickly the technology would evolve. If anything, that pace of change makes this work more urgent – and more important. Achieving Explorer status is just the starting point. What I am proud of is that our pupils are being prepared not just to keep up with a changing world, but to play an active role in shaping it.”