Staff Guidance for Using AI Responsibly

Policies are written for governors and inspectors. Staff need something shorter — a one-page guidance sheet they can actually keep in mind day to day. Here's a structure that works well as a staff briefing on AI in primary schools.

Do

• Use AI to save time on planning, resource ideas, and first drafts
• Always read and edit AI output before using it — treat it like a keen but inexperienced trainee, not a finished product
• Keep prompts general rather than pupil-specific
• Ask your AI lead if you're unsure whether a use case is appropriate

Don't

• Enter pupil names, SEND information, or safeguarding details into any AI tool
• Send AI-generated content to parents without checking it first
• Assume AI-generated facts, dates, or statistics are correct without verifying
• Use AI to write final report comments without applying your own professional judgement

Making it stick

Print this as a one-pager, put it in the staff room, and revisit it at the start of each academic year alongside your other annual staff briefings — fire safety, safeguarding refreshers, and data protection all get this treatment already, and AI guidance deserves the same rhythm rather than a single mention that's forgotten by October.