Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping education – but opinions remain divided on how it should be used to shape teaching and learning. A survey by the National Literacy Trust found that generative AI use among 13–18-year-olds rose from 37% in 2023 to 77% in 2024, before levelling at 66.5% in 2025.
AI adoption by teachers has almost doubled in recent years, rising from 31% in 2023 to 58% in 2025, in contrast to school leaders who have the lowest adoption rate at just 20%.
Enthusiasm for AI is high, and the education sector is still working out how to balance innovation with academic integrity. A spokesperson for the DFE recently stated,
“If used safely, effectively and with the right infrastructure in place, AI can ensure that every child and young person, regardless of their background, is able to achieve at school or college and develop the knowledge and skills they need for life.”
This highlights the need for clear, structured guidance to help schools use AI safely and effectively – a need that AiEd Certified is designed to address.
How AiEd Certified Empowers Schools and Colleges
For school and college leaders already juggling a packed schedule, understanding AI can feel overwhelming – with colleagues and students racing ahead, and no clear direction on the ‘right’ way to embrace the change.
This challenge is not solved by a single training course or CPD module. AI is not simply another tool to learn; it represents a wider shift and profound change that spans education and the wider world we are preparing our learners to live and work in.
AiEd Certified was developed by educators, for educators, in response to these concerns.
The framework supports a whole-school approach to AI implementation that is thoughtful and learner-centred, reflecting priorities that matter to the teaching community. Furthermore, it offers practical guidance and clarity, helping schools and colleges not only to answer questions about AI, but to identify the questions they should be asking.
A Framework That Makes AI Understandable
At the heart of AiEd Certified is a phased roadmap that breaks down the complexities of AI into five core pillars:
1. AI Literacy – Building a foundational understanding of AI concepts.
2. Policies & Ethics – Ensuring responsible and ethical use.
3. Tools & Systems – Embedding AI within school / college operations.
4. Digital Pedagogy – Integrating AI into teaching practices.
5. Collaboration & Community – Encouraging shared learning about AI, within and between schools / colleges.
These pillars apply across three key stakeholder groups: leaders, staff, and students – creating a 15-point matrix that schools can use to assess readiness and progress.
Flexible and Inclusive
The certification is deliberately non-prescriptive, allowing schools to submit evidence such as policies, lesson plans, and collaborative initiatives. This flexibility ensures that institutions of all sizes and contexts can participate meaningfully.
Schools can achieve one of three certification levels:
• Explorer – Initial engagement with AI.
• Practitioner – Confident, ongoing use.
• Innovator – Leading practice and contributing to research or policy.
This tiered approach helps demystify AI by breaking it into manageable stages, enabling schools to progress at their own pace.
In Summary
AiEd Certified makes AI accessible, actionable, and inclusive. It empowers schools to move from curiosity to confidence, and ensures that educators and learners alike are prepared for an AI-powered future.
