AI Policy Starter Pack for schools and trusts
Source-referenced policy documents and practical guidance for schools that need a credible AI policy starting point — without building everything from scratch.
Aligned with current published guidance from DfE, Ofsted, JCQ, and ICO as of March 2026.
Schools are already using AI — most don't have a policy that keeps pace
Staff are experimenting with generative AI tools for lesson planning, report writing, and pupil feedback. Meanwhile, existing acceptable-use policies were written before these tools existed.
JCQ now requires schools to address AI use in coursework, NEA, and controlled assessments — including how students acknowledge AI use, how staff verify authenticity, and what happens when malpractice is suspected. In 2025 alone, 1,125 students lost an entire GCSE or A level to malpractice penalties. ICO expects schools to consider data protection implications before staff or students use AI tools that process personal data.
DfE, Ofsted, JCQ, Ofqual, and ICO have all published guidance — but it is spread across multiple bodies, updates at different times, and none of it gives schools a ready-to-adopt set of policy documents. Senior leaders are left to translate fragmented national guidance into local, board-ready policy themselves.
What most schools get wrong with AI policy
Relying on a single free template
Most free templates cover staff acceptable use only. They do not address assessment integrity, student-facing rules, or JCQ malpractice reporting. A single document leaves gaps that become visible during moderation, inspection, or an actual incident.
No clear process when AI misuse happens
When a student submits AI-generated coursework, staff need to know: who investigates, how evidence is recorded, when to file a JCQ Form M1, and what the escalation route is. Most schools have not mapped this out, because generic AI policies do not cover it.
Policies that go stale within a term
JCQ, DfE, Ofqual, and ICO update guidance at different times throughout the year. A policy written in September can be out of step by January. Without a source register showing what each section is based on, there is no practical way to check what needs updating.
Nothing for students or governors to read
Staff get a policy document, but students are not told the rules in language they can follow, and governors have no summary they can review in a meeting. That makes adoption harder and accountability unclear.
A practical paid pack, not a consultancy project that drifts
The AI Policy Starter Pack translates published national guidance into board-ready policy documents your school can adapt and adopt. It is designed to sit alongside your existing exam, safeguarding, data protection, and acceptable-use policies — not replace them.
Every document is structured around current published guidance, with a clear source register so leadership teams can see what each section is based on. The pack covers the AI-specific layer that most schools are missing: staff use, student expectations, assessment integrity, JCQ malpractice procedures, and an internal appeals process.
Who this is designed for
Headteachers
Heads of Centre
DSLs & safeguarding leads
Trust leadership & governance
School business managers
Operations & compliance leads
Exams & data managers
What's in the pack
Staff AI Acceptable Use Policy
Covers approved tools, data handling, pupil data red lines, and accountability expectations in an editable, school-ready format.
Student AI Acceptable Use Policy
Defines how students may use AI tools for learning, with clear rules on assessment and acknowledgement.
Assessment Integrity Policy
Covers AI use in assessed work, JCQ M1/M2/M3 reporting, staff responsibilities, and on-screen test carve-outs.
Source Register & Delivery Notes
A transparent record of every source used, so leadership teams can see exactly what each section is based on.
Why free resources are not enough
Free AI policy resources from sector bodies are a reasonable starting point for awareness and conversation. Ofqual's March 2026 pack, for example, gives schools a lesson plan and leadership briefing — but not the operational procedures a Head of Centre needs to run investigations, record evidence, route JCQ malpractice reports, or manage appeals.
Full consultancy engagements close that gap but cost thousands and take months. This pack sits in between: national guidance translated into a defined set of source-referenced policy documents, structured for adoption, delivered in days rather than weeks.
Free resources
Usually one document or an awareness pack. Staff use or conversation prompts only. No assessment integrity procedures. No JCQ malpractice workflow. No source register. No revision support. No student-facing policy.
This pack
Three coordinated documents covering staff, students, and assessment integrity. Source register included. JCQ M1/M2/M3 reporting covered. Revision round included. Delivered in editable format.
Full consultancy
Bespoke engagement over weeks or months. Typically £3,000–£8,000 per year. Right for complex, multi-site requirements — but more than most individual schools need to get started.
Choose the level of support that fits
Starter Pack
For individual schools that need a strong first version quickly.
- Staff AI acceptable-use policy
- Student AI acceptable-use policy
- Assessment Integrity Policy
- At-a-glance summary for each policy
- AI policy checklist
- Customisation checklist
- Source register and delivery notes
- 1 round of revisions
- 5-day target delivery
School Plus
For schools that want more support with sign-off and implementation.
- Everything in Starter Pack
- 45-minute review call
- 2 rounds of revisions
- Leadership implementation notes
- Governor or trustee summary note
Trust Pack
For trusts that need trust-level documents with school adaptation notes.
- Trust-level policy documents
- School adaptation notes
- Review call included
- 2 rounds of revisions
- Central source register and delivery notes
What you receive
Editable files
Working documents in editable format plus PDF reference copies for review and circulation.
Source-referenced pack
A source register showing the published guidance used to support drafting decisions and delivery notes.
Fast delivery
Starter Pack delivery targeted within 5 working days from kickoff, with a defined revision window.
Why this approach
Referenced, not invented
Every provision traces to published guidance from DfE, JCQ, Ofqual, ICO, and Pearson. A source register is included so governors and leadership teams can see exactly what each section is based on.
Built for when it actually matters
The pack covers what happens when AI misuse is suspected, aligned with JCQ malpractice procedures including Form M1 reporting, evidence preservation, escalation routes, and internal appeals.
Covers GCSEs and A-levels
Assessment integrity requirements are structured around JCQ-regulated qualifications including GCSEs and A-levels. The pack addresses coursework, NEA, and controlled assessment contexts so schools have clear procedures across qualification types.
Designed for adoption, not the shelf
Documents are structured for internal review, governor sign-off, and staff communication. At-a-glance summaries help leadership teams understand the key points without reading every page.
Fast enough to be useful
The service is structured as a defined package with defined outputs, revision rounds, and a clear delivery window. Starter Pack delivery is targeted within 5 working days.
Transparent about scope
This service provides informational policy materials aligned with current published guidance, not legal advice, procurement review, or certification of any kind.
How it works
Start with a short enquiry, receive a defined draft pack, request revisions where needed, and finalise the documents for local adoption.
What this service is and is not
This service provides practical policy documents, structured guidance, and source-referenced drafting support for schools and trusts.
It does not provide legal advice, vendor due diligence, procurement support, DPIA completion, or certification outcomes of any kind. Where local legal or governance review is appropriate, that should still be done.
Built with a practical governance mindset
This service was created because schools are being asked to govern AI use across multiple policy areas — staff conduct, student expectations, assessment integrity, data protection, safeguarding — but there is no single national AI policy they can adopt as-is.
Every document in this pack has been source-audited against current published guidance from DfE, JCQ, Ofqual, and ICO. The source register is included so your leadership team can verify what each provision is based on and when it was last checked.
The aim is not to overcomplicate AI governance. It is to give school leaders a credible first version they can review through their existing governance structures, adapt to their setting, and put into use.
Frequently asked questions
Is this legal advice?
No. This is informational guidance aligned with published sector recommendations. It is not a substitute for qualified legal advice. If your school faces a specific legal question about AI use, you should consult a solicitor or your trust's legal team.
How current is the guidance?
Each document states its reference date. The pack reflects published guidance current as of that date. An ongoing update service may be offered in future.
Can I adapt the documents for my school's context?
Yes — that's the point. Documents are provided in editable format with guidance notes to support adaptation to your setting.
Does this cover pupil-facing AI use?
Yes. The pack includes a Student AI Acceptable Use Policy and an Assessment Integrity Policy covering AI use in assessed work, acknowledgement requirements, and malpractice expectations aligned with current JCQ guidance.
Does this cover BTECs and vocational qualifications?
The current pack is structured around JCQ-regulated qualifications (GCSEs and A-levels). The Assessment Integrity Policy references BTEC and vocational qualifications where relevant, but Pearson-specific malpractice and authentication procedures are not yet fully verified. If your school delivers a mixed qualification offer and needs BTEC-specific coverage, get in touch and we can discuss your requirements.
How is this different from free AI policy resources?
Free resources typically provide a single staff-use document or awareness materials like conversation prompts and leadership briefings. This pack includes three coordinated policy documents (staff, student, and assessment integrity), a source register, JCQ malpractice reporting procedures, an internal appeals process, and a revision round. It is designed as a complete operational starting point, not a single document you then have to build around.
Is this suitable for primary schools or EYFS settings?
This pack is written primarily for secondary schools and assessment settings. Primary schools may find the staff-use, governance, and safeguarding elements helpful, but the pupil-facing materials are not written for EYFS or primary use without further adaptation. EYFS is not currently in scope. If you are unsure whether the pack fits your setting, get in touch and we can advise.
What format are the documents?
Editable Word documents and PDF reference copies. Supporting delivery notes and the source register are included with the pack.
Ready to request the AI Policy Starter Pack?
Get in touch to request the pack, ask about trust pricing, or start with the checklist if you want a lighter first step.