By Mrs Hudson-Findley, Director of Digital Learning, Enterprise and Sustainability

As we continue to embrace the possibilities of AI in education, one of our key priorities remains helping students build confidence and responsibility in their use of these powerful tools. That’s why I’m excited to introduce our new AI Traffic Light System, which will be launching with students this September. This simple but effective framework will guide students in recognising the appropriate, cautious, and prohibited uses of AI, ensuring they become thoughtful, ethical digital learners.

The system mirrors the familiar red-amber-green structure:

• Green for safe, encouraged use – such as brainstorming ideas or using AI for revision quizzes.
• Amber for situations that require teacher permission or guidance – like summarising complex texts or exploring AI-generated feedback.
• Red for uses that are not appropriate – including generating entire assignments, using AI generated content within externally examined coursework, or using AI tools to impersonate others.

This model is more than just a classroom tool; it’s part of a wider commitment to digital literacy and AI fluency across the school. The Education Endowment Foundation’s 2024 guidance on using digital technology to improve learning highlights that when schools offer structured guidance around technology use, students show increased confidence and critical thinking in evaluating digital content. 

Importantly, this launch is not just about compliance or keeping pace with technological change. It’s about nurturing curiosity and responsibility. By helping students understand when and how to use AI meaningfully, we are equipping them with skills they’ll need beyond school – in further study, in the workplace, and in the digital world they’re growing into.

The system has been developed with input from teachers and students alike, and reflects our ethos of trust, integrity and innovation. We’re also aligning our approach with national developments. The Department for Education’s 2025 policy paper on generative AI in education emphasises the need for schools to establish clear, age-appropriate guidelines for AI use, ensuring safety and effectiveness in educational settings. 

In the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing more about the resources, student workshops, and launch events planned for September. AI isn’t going away, but with the right tools and shared understanding, we can ensure our students are ready to use it wisely and in exciting ways  to help future proof their skills.