Private schools ‘ahead of the game’ on AI use

TechnologyOpinion
16 Jul 2025 • 6:47 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • State schools are significantly lagging behind private institutions in the adoption and integration of artificial intelligence, according to a new Sutton Trust report.
  • A survey of over 10,000 teachers in England revealed that 45 per cent of private school teachers have received formal AI training, compared to just 21 per cent in state schools.
  • Private schools are also three times more likely to have a school-wide strategy for AI integration and report higher rates of AI usage among staff, with the report describing them as "ahead of the game".
  • Nearly a quarter of state school teachers expressed no confidence in using AI tools, highlighting a significant confidence gap compared to their private school counterparts.
  • The Sutton Trust is urging the Government to intervene to address this widening digital divide and ensure all pupils can benefit from AI in education.

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