First sixth form college achieves Explorer Level of AiEd Certified 

‍

AiEd Certified is delighted to announce that William Morris Sixth Form has become the first sixth form college in the UK to achieve Explorer Level within the AiEd Certified Framework. This accomplishment marks an important step forward in embedding responsible and effective use of AI across post‑16 education. By earning their Explorer badge, the college demonstrates a clear commitment to safe, purposeful AI implementation that supports learners and educators alike.

Through the certification process, William Morris Sixth Form evidenced a clear institutional approach to AI, underpinned by a strong culture of collaborative professional learning,enabling staff with varying levels of confidence and experience to develop shared understanding and capability.

Lucia Al-Talal, Head of Student Support Hub (Careers and Library), AI Lead and Staff Governor from William Morris Sixth Form said: “Our confidence in using AI has improved significantly through this certification process. The structured, research-backed framework was exactly what we needed to move from fragmented experimentation to a cohesive,responsible strategy rooted in pedagogy rather than technology alone.

The process acted as a catalyst for collective growth. Our staff began with very different levels of AI knowledge, from early adopters to colleagues who were understandably apprehensive. The certification journey created a formal platform for collaboration, where more confident practitioners were able to mentor others, demystifying AI tools and focusing on practical classroom and curriculum applications.

A key driver of this growing confidence has been the tangible impact on day-to-day practice. AI tools are already saving staff significant time in administration and planning, allowing teachers to redirect their expertise towards high-impact, human-centred work. This includes providing more targeted support for SEND students, breaking down language barriers for EAL learners,and offering deeper interventions for disadvantaged students. Seeing AI directly support these priorities has been a powerful motivator for staff.

The certification process also gave us the impetus and external validation to formalise our approach. Developing and ratifying a clear AI policy, with the full support of governors and senior leaders, was a cornerstone achievement. This policy does not simply set boundaries; it enables innovation within a safe, ethical and non-biased framework.

As a result, we have moved from asking ‘Can we use AI?’ to strategically planning ‘How best can we use AI to enhance teaching, learning and administration?’ We are now more confident not just in using AI tools, but in our institutional approach to developing AI literacy for both staff and students.”

Alex Russell, Co-founder of AiEd Certified, said: “Sixth form colleges face distinct opportunities and challenges when it comes to AI, from maintaining academic integrity to preparing students for higher education and employment. This milestone demonstrates that effective AI adoption is not about speed or tools alone, but about building confidence and shared understanding across an organisation. It is exactly the kind of thoughtful, responsible practice the AiEd Certified framework is designed to support.”