Every school needs an AI strategy, but what should it actually achieve?
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As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes an increasingly prominent topic in schools, questions about its impact on teaching, learning and workload continue to grow. While there is no shortage of AI products and platforms entering the education market, there remains a pressing need for independent research that helps schools understand what works in practice.
One initiative contributing to that evidence base is AI for Teachers: Beyond Time Saving, a programme run by our training partners Twinkl in partnership with the Digital Education Futures Initiative (DEFI) at Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge. Registration for the programme has recently been extended until 31 October 2026, giving more primary schools the opportunity to participate in both professional learning and research.
We first shared this opportunity in Could your primary school help shape the future of AI in education? If you missed it the first time, or your school was still weighing it up, now is the time to get involved.
Who can take part?
The programme is open to all primary educators, including classroom teachers, SENDCos and school leaders. No previous experience with AI is needed, so it is an ideal starting point for schools and staff who are beginning to formally explore what AI could mean for their setting.
Participation is open to every primary school. You don't need to be enrolled with AiEd Certified to take part.
Each participating school nominates one lead participant, supported by school or trust leadership. The time commitment is approximately 35 hours across the year, designed to sit alongside existing workload.
Why we're celebrating this extension
Questions about AI's impact on teacher workload, professional practice and confidence are among the most important in education right now. Many of the answers are still coming from vendors with a product to sell. This programme combines free CPD with optional participation in independent research led by DEFI. Through that research, schools can help build an evidence base drawn from real classroom experience.
What the programme covers
Across a series of short, practical sessions, participants will explore:
- How AI works and what it means for their setting
- Using AI safely, with attention to accuracy, bias, ethics, data privacy and security
- Whether AI can reduce workload in practice
- Using AI effectively with limited or unreliable internet access
- How might AI support inclusive teaching and learning
- How learners are using AI, and what schools need to consider as a result
What participating schools receive
- Free, expert-led CPD from Twinkl
- Access to AI tools designed for education
- Live sessions to collaborate and share practice with other schools
- The opportunity to contribute to national research and hear what's working across schools
How this supports your AiEd Certification
For schools working towards Explorer level, the CPD itself and the practical work that comes from it can both form part of your evidence related to AI Literacy, Policies and Ethics and Digital Pedagogy
How to get involved
Find out more and register your interest on the Twinkl and DEFI programme page.
Registration closes: 31 October 2026
If you have questions about how this fits into your AiEd Certified journey, email us at info@ai-in-education.co.uk.