AI in Primary Schools

May 9 / Muse Wellbeing

AI in Primary Schools

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming British schools. Every day, AI is becoming more widely and increasingly adopted across many educational settings. Schools have begun the process of integrating AI-powered tools to enhance learning, support teachers, and improve student outcomes. From interactive learning assistants to automated assessment systems, AI is changing the way in which teachers and children engage with learning within the school system.

While these technologies offer immense benefits, questions and concerns are also being raised about data privacy, screen time and the role of teachers in an AI-enhanced learning environment. The primary challenge for educators is to integrate AI in UK education in a way that supports both academic growth and student wellbeing.

With the AI landscape continuing to rapidly evolve, along with the intensifying roll-out of AI in UK education, teachers and school leaders must grapple with and plan for the ethical and practical implications of using AI in classrooms.

Not only in primary schools, but across all stages of education, teachers are increasingly using AI-powered tools to enhance their teaching and delivery of learning activities. Some AI-driven platforms can help differentiate instruction, allowing students to progress at their own pace. For example, many AI-powered tools can help to adjust the difficulty of almost any worksheet or task, and dedicated AI-powered learning apps such as Century Tech can take into account individual student performance and adjust content difficulty accordingly, ensuring personalized learning experiences. Teachers also benefit from AI in administrative tasks, such as support in student assessment as well as with assistance in lesson planning, freeing up valuable time for direct student engagement and other areas needing the teacher’s time and focus.

However, educators must also navigate many challenges too, especially when it comes to the possibility of over-reliance on AI. AI-generated feedback can lack the nuance of human understanding, making it crucial for teachers to oversee and interpret AI-driven insights. Additionally, training teachers to use AI effectively is essential—without proper guidance and an understanding of how and when to use AI, such tools may become an added burden to many teachers rather than a helpful resource. Schools must provide ongoing professional development to support teachers in confidently integrating AI into their classrooms and administrative duties. At the same time, it’s essential to empower educators to carefully interpret AI-generated content, data or insights, ensuring they retain full responsibility and final authority in an AI-augmented learning environment.

Beyond the classroom, members of school senior leadership and further stakeholders are exploring the ways in which AI can enhance efficiency and decision-making in primary education. AI-driven data analysis can help schools track student progress, identify learning gaps and suggest targeted interventions. Predictive analytics can also assist in resource allocation, ensuring that students in need of extra support receive it in a fitting and timely manner. Platforms such as TeachMateAI simplify routine planning and administrative tasks, allowing educators more time to focus on meaningful teaching. This enables teachers to apply their expertise in classroom relationships and the unique learning needs of each class to develop rich, thematic sessions that support both engagement and achievement.

Parents and educational policymakers also play a role in shaping AI’s presence in schools and in the students’ lives more generally. Many parents welcome AI tools that enhance learning but may have concerns about data privacy and excessive screen time. Ensuring transparency in AI decision-making processes (continued and clear community communication) and implementing strict data protection policies are essential steps in maintaining trust among all stakeholders.

Teaching children about the flaws of generative AI systems (such as ChatGTP) is just as important as explaining how it works. These systems create text, images and videos based on patterns in their training data. However, while useful, they can also produce biased, misleading, or inaccurate content, raising a whole number of concerns. Students need to understand that AI doesn’t "think" but only interprets the data it has been given.

Classroom activities can help children explore AI’s limitations. For example, AI-generated text may promote or reinforce certain worldviews and stereotypes, and images may lack diversity. By questioning where AI gets its information, how it interprets this data and whether it can be trusted, students develop critical thinking skills through engaging with and reflecting on the validity of AI-produced content. This prepares students to engage responsibly with AI in an increasingly digital world.

AI is increasingly embedded in online platforms that children use daily, from educational apps to social media. Teaching AI safety and digital citizenship ensures that students understand how AI collects and processes data. Lessons on privacy, secure passwords and responsible technology use should be integrated into classroom discussions.

By fostering digital awareness, schools can empower students to make informed decisions about their interactions with AI. Encouraging children to question AI-generated content and recognise misinformation is crucial in today's digital world.

AI in primary schools presents both exciting opportunities and significant challenges. AI is becoming more integrated into classrooms, shaping how students learn and interact with technology. In 2024, nearly one-third (30.9%) of primary school teachers in the UK reported using generative AI tools in their teaching practices.

This growing adoption highlights AI’s potential to enhance learning experiences, streamline lesson planning and provide personalised support for students. However, schools must also consider the ethical and practical implications of integrating AI into early education.

Benefits of AI in Primary Education

➟ Personalised Learning – AI adapts lessons to individual student needs, offering customised learning paths.

➟ Teacher Support – AI can help with assessment, reporting, lesson planning and administrative tasks, reducing teacher workload and redirecting focus to other key areas (such as concentrating on provision, teaching and learning).

➟ Engagement and Accessibility – AI-powered tools such as interactive games and speech-to-text applications can enhance learning for diverse learners, including those with special educational needs.

➟ Data-Driven Insights – AI can help schools identify student progress patterns, enabling timely learning interventions for specific needs.

Challenges of AI in Primary Education

➟ Data Privacy and Security – AI systems collect student data, raising concerns about storage and usage.

➟ Screen Time Management – Excessive reliance on AI can increase screen time, which may impact student wellbeing.

➟ Critical Thinking – Too much use of AI may limit pupils’ ability to think independently and solve problems on their own.

➟ Equity Issues – Not all schools have equal access to AI tools, creating a digital divide.

➟ Teacher Training – Educators need ongoing training to use AI effectively in their work.

AI offers valuable tools for education, but its impact on children’s wellbeing is a growing concern, though as AI is such a recent development, the validity of AI concerns in this regard remains to be seen. We know that excessive screen time can reduce social interaction, making it harder for students to develop communication skills. Furthermore, relying too much on AI may also limit independent thinking, as students become accustomed to automatic support rather than problem-solving on their own. Additionally, constant exposure to AI-driven learning can contribute to digital fatigue (mental tiredness from screen overuse), reducing focus and engagement in the classroom.

AI is evolving rapidly, and educators must keep pace to prepare students for an AI-driven world. Schools should prioritise AI literacy, teaching critical thinking and responsible use.

With thoughtful implementation, AI can enhance education while ensuring human-led learning remains central. The key is balance—using AI as a tool, not a replacement.

Muse Wellbeing supports schools in delivering a balanced, values-led curriculum that embraces both innovation and inclusion. Explore our full range of PSHE and digital literacy resources at www.musewellbeing.co.uk.

AI in Primary Schools