DfE awards £300K contract for school AI benchmarks

The government has awarded a £300,000 contract to an education technology consultancy firm to help establish benchmarks for the use of AI in schools.

The Department for Education has selected Educate Ventures Research to develop a new “digital and data skills pathway” for schools.

The framework will aim to create “minimum and aspirational standards” for the skills and expertise school staff need to use technology, data and AI safely and effectively.

It will also help schools judge the quality of professional development and training available to staff, the government said.

AI skills standards for teachers

The award follows a commitment set out in the schools White Paper, published in February, to establish a “clear and progressive skills pathway” for teachers and school staff as AI becomes more widely used in schools.

The framework should increase staff confidence and expertise in using digital technology and AI, with relevant skills integrated into existing professional qualifications, the government said.

It will cover how technology can be incorporated into teaching and school management, including how it could improve pupil engagement and outcomes, promote inclusion or reduce staff workload, according to the contract.

The standards should support an “ongoing professional development journey”, the DfE said.

£300K contract

Educate Ventures Research, a company founded by University College London’s Professor Rose Luckin, is a consultancy and training provider specialising in the use of AI in education.

It provides AI professional development to teachers and school leaders and says it has delivered AI training and strategy work in more than 100 schools and international school groups.

The £300,000 contract is expected to be signed next month and run from September until the end of March 2027.

The DfE had previously advertised the contract with a budget of up to £500,000.

The government has attempted to make greater use of AI in schools through its education technology strategy, including plans for AI tutoring tools.

Educate Ventures Research has been approached for comment.