In a bid to level the playing field in British education, the Government has announced a groundbreaking initiative to provide safe, AI-powered one-to-one tutoring for up to 450,000 children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The project aims to break down the barriers to opportunity that see only 25% of disadvantaged pupils achieve a Grade 5 or above in English and Maths GCSEs, compared to over half of their more affluent peers. By scaling high-quality AI tools, the Government intends to provide the kind of personalised support typically reserved for families who can afford private tutors.
Evidence indicates that one-to-one tutoring can accelerate a pupil’s learning by approximately five months. The new AI tools are designed to replicate this impact by:
- Adapting to Individual Needs: Providing instant help when a student is stuck and identifying areas for mastery.
- Supporting GCSE Success: Targeting 450,000 pupils on free school meals across Years 9 to 11.
- Curriculum Alignment: Ensuring all AI-led learning works in tandem with the National Curriculum to reinforce classroom teaching.
The Government has launched a tender for industry leaders to co-create these tools alongside teachers, ensuring they meet the highest educational standards.
The Government was keen to stress that these AI tools are designed to complement, not replace, face-to-face teaching.
Starting in the Summer term of 2025, teachers will work directly with AI labs and tech firms to co-create and test the software. Trials in secondary schools will begin later this year, with a full rollout to schools expected by the end of 2027.
To ensure the technology is safe and reliable, the Department for Education is introducing robust benchmarks, teacher training, and safety standards.
Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education, said:
“Our mission is to break the link between background and destiny, and we’re working hand-in-hand with teachers to make that a reality. AI tutoring tools have the potential to transform access to tailored support for young people, taking tutoring from a privilege of the lucky few, to every child who needs it – so all children can achieve and thrive.
“But AI tools are only helpful in education if they are safe and support learning – and that is a non-negotiable. We will ensure tutoring tools are designed with teachers and rigorously tested, so they enhance pupils’ learning and keep our children safe online, never replacing the human connection that only great teachers can provide.”
This announcement follows a suite of measures aimed at modernising the British classroom while protecting student wellbeing. These include a £23 million investment in EdTech Testbeds to reduce teacher workloads and the launch of a consultation on banning mobile phones in schools to improve focus and mental health.
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