Developed by AI in Education, a charitable cross-sector initiative co-founded by Bourne Education Trust (BET) and Epsom College, the framework is led by senior education figures from both the state and independent sectors. It draws on expertise from researchers, practitioners, industry specialists, and student voices to provide schools with a clear, research-backed, pedagogy-driven approach.
The programme aligns with current Department for Education priorities and wider policy developments, giving schools confidence that the framework is both educationally grounded and future-facing.
“If schools and colleges are to truly benefit from AI, they must go beyond generic guidance,” said Alex Russell OBE, BET CEO and Co-Founder of AI in Education. “They need a practical, education-first framework, developed by educators and fully informed by pedagogy, to support implementation and mitigate risks in real time.”
A structured, human-centred education framework
AiEd Certified provides a phased roadmap to help schools and colleges navigate AI with confidence. It is built around three progressive levels – Explorer, Practitioner, Innovator – underpinned by five key pillars:
- AI literacy
- Policies and ethics
- Tools and systems
- Digital pedagogy
- Collaboration and community
The certification emphasises a developmental, people-centred approach. Rather than rushing to adopt tools, the focus is on embedding purposeful, ethical, and inclusive practice across whole school communities.
Why schools are taking part
The rapid rise of generative AI is reshaping how students learn and how staff work. Many leaders say they feel under pressure to respond but lack the expertise or structures to do so confidently. For participating schools, the framework provides much-needed direction.
“Certification provides a roadmap and a shared language for our whole staff team,” said James Kibble, CEO of Xavier Catholic Education Trust. “It gives us a benchmark in a rapidly changing space and reassures our school community that we are moving forward in an evidence-based and ethical way.”
Early feedback suggests the programme is helping schools build staff capability, reassure parents and governors, and connect with peers nationally who are exploring AI.
Designed for education, driven by evidence
Unlike a technology checklist, the framework is grounded in pedagogy, ethics, and real-world school contexts – supporting leaders to build capacity, protect learners, and maximise opportunity.
The three certification levels reflect different stages of development:
- Explorer – schools beginning their AI journey with emerging champions and early planning
- Practitioner – schools embedding AI to enhance learning and operations
- Innovator – schools leading the way, demonstrating impact, and contributing to sector knowledge
Regardless of size or setting, the framework is designed to adapt to the needs of all schools and colleges, including primary, secondary, special, and independent institutions, with access to expert support throughout the process.
Sector momentum
With more than 250 institutions already engaged, AiEd Certified is gaining momentum across the country. Advocates say the framework helps schools move beyond hype and uncertainty toward a structured, evidence-based approach to AI.
By placing pedagogy, ethics, and community at the centre of technological change, the framework gives schools the clarity needed to navigate the next stage of education’s digital future.
AI in Education have produced a short video featuring participating school leaders to explain more about the framework, and further details are available at: www.ai-in-education.co.uk.
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