The government is inviting EdTech companies and AI labs to develop safe, personalised AI tutoring tools aimed at improving learning outcomes, especially for disadvantaged pupils. These tools will be designed in collaboration with teachers to ensure they are classroom-ready, aligned with the national curriculum, and focused on safety. Up to eight selected organisations will begin testing their solutions in schools under teacher supervision starting this summer.
The initiative focuses on making high-quality, tailored academic support more accessible to students who typically cannot afford private tutoring. By leveraging AI, the programme aims to provide personalised assistance across subjects such as English, maths, science, and modern foreign languages for students in Years 9 and 10. These tools will adapt to individual learning needs, helping pupils overcome challenges and improve their understanding.
A key goal is to reduce educational inequality by supporting up to 450,000 disadvantaged pupils annually. Since private tutoring is often expensive and inaccessible, these AI tools could help level the playing field by offering similar benefits at scale. Participating companies must clearly demonstrate how their solutions will be inclusive, accessible, and effective for students with diverse needs.
The programme also emphasizes the role of teachers, ensuring that AI tools enhance rather than replace classroom teaching. By providing insights into student progress and learning gaps, these tools will enable educators to tailor their teaching strategies and use classroom time more effectively. This approach aims to strengthen both teaching quality and student outcomes.
Selected companies will receive funding to design and test their tools in real classroom environments. The government is also developing strict safety benchmarks to ensure that all AI solutions are accurate, age-appropriate, and secure for student use. Data protection is a priority, with safeguards in place to prevent misuse of student information.
Overall, this initiative reflects a broader effort to harness AI responsibly in education, expand access to learning support, and ensure that technological advancements benefit all students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
