The Department for Education (DfE) warned that access to tutoring is currently \u201cdeeply unequal\u201d, with wealthier pupils far more likely to benefit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Its pilot will test \u201csafe AI-powered tutoring tools providing personalised, one-to-one learning support \u2013 levelling the playing field for those who cannot afford private tutors\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Professor Becky Francis, CEO of the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), said the benefits of tutoring \u201care clear\u201d and it is \u201cone of the most well-evidenced approaches\u201d for supporting pupils needing additional help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But, while there is \u201cstrong understanding of what effective human tutoring looks like\u201d, she stressed that \u201cthe evidence on AI provision is in its infancy\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Announcing the AI scheme<\/a>, the DfE cited EEF research<\/a> showing that one-to-one tuition can accelerate learning by around five months on average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The EEF found short, regular sessions of around 30 minutes, three to five times a week, over a set period of up to 10 weeks delivered \u201coptimum impact\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But the studies examined tuition delivered by \u201ca teacher, teaching assistant or other adult giving a pupil intensive individual support\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Francis said AI models \u201chold potential\u201d, but she added: \u201cWe must build the evidence to ensure we are providing learners with provision that we can be confident will support their learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jen Fox, CEO of Action Tutoring, welcomed the investment, but said: \u201cOur mission is an equitable education system, and that requires more than just tools; it requires evidence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr Cat Scutt, deputy CEO of the Chartered College of Teaching, said developing and implementing AI tutoring \u201ceffectively and safely\u201d was \u201can incredibly complex task, and its success or otherwise will be in the detail\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But she acknowledged its potential to make a difference to disadvantaged young people if \u201cdone well\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Co-creating the tools with teachers \u201cwill significantly increase the chance of success\u201d, she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Francis added that the scheme\u2019s impact will \u201cdepend on implementation\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt is vital that any use of AI tutors is carefully monitored and closely aligned to wider classroom teaching,\u201d she said. \u201cBoth to make sure they are delivering for pupils, and to build the evidence base for what works.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The DfE said the scheme will help pupils \u201cto access one-to-one tutoring\u201d, but it is not clear how involved human teachers and tutors will be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Susannah Hardyman, CEO of Impetus and a former head of Action Tutoring, said: \u201cWhen used in conjunction with human tutors and teachers who can keep a pupil engaged, encourage resilience, and establish trust, AI has the potential to scale some of the key aspects of tutoring.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She said there must now be \u201crobust evaluation to learn how AI tutoring can work best\u201d, adding that the current disadvantage gap shows \u201cthe need is huge\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2024-25, just 25.6 per cent of GCSE pupils from a disadvantaged background achieved a grade 5 \u2013 or \u201cstrong pass\u201d \u2013 in English and maths. This compared to 52.8 per cent of pupils not known to be from disadvantaged backgrounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The government will run a tender \u201cfor industry to co-create AI tutoring tools with teachers\u201d from the summer term. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The DfE said it hoped this would bring the tools \u201cto a similar level of quality, so that we can offer, at scale, the kind of personalised one-to-one support often only available to a privileged few\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The tools will then be available to schools \u201cby the end of 2027\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The DfE said that, \u201cfrom years 9-11 alone \u2026 the tools could support up to 450,000 children a year on free school meals to access one-to-one tutoring\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By \u201cadapting to individual pupils\u2019 needs, the tools could provide extra help when they get stuck\u201d and identify where they need more practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The department insisted that the tools will \u201ccomplement\u201d high-quality, face-to-face teaching \u2013 but won\u2019t replace it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And it pledged to \u201crobustly test\u201d the AI tutoring tools, \u201cso they are safe and work for pupils \u2026 and school staff\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis includes ensuring they work in tandem with the national curriculum to build on children\u2019s learning in class.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Trials will begin this year with children in secondary schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n School staff will be supported \u201cwith clear, practical training developed with the education sector, so they have the skills, knowledge and confidence to use AI safely and effectively\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" DfE says 450,000 disadvantaged children will benefit, but experts warn evidence on AI provision ‘in its infancy’<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":314902,"featured_media":110004,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[239],"post-theme":[2398],"class_list":["post-241169","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-education-policy","post-theme-schools"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/schoolsweek.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Becky-Francis-Profile-main-feat.jpg\")
Use of AI tutoring must be \u2018carefully monitored\u2019<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Susannah](\"https:\/\/schoolsweek.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Susannah-Hardyman-inset-400px.jpg\")
Tools available to schools by end of 2027<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n