AI represents an epoch shift in almost every sector today. It is a technological tectonic shift and will have a far-reaching impact, far beyond anything we can predict at this point in time. Here are Surbiton High School, we are embracing AI strategies in order augment and enhance learning.
We understand that the teacher-student relationship is fundamental to pushing progress and shaping learners for the future, and we see AI as an opportunity to enhance and support that relationship, helping our students stretch out their hands and to reach further afield, acquiring learning and knowledge that was hitherto impossible to reach.
Our journey began in November 2022, when a number of teachers across the school signed up to Open AI’s ChatGPT and started running prompts. These initial experiments were used to build resources and to test the range and capacity of AI when applied to GCSE and A Level materials. By early 2023, an AI focused work group was established to share knowledge and ethical concerns, and some staff started creating AI bots that would channel Chat GPT and give it distinct parameters that would make the technology safe to use with students.
Throughout 2024, the school has been hosting regular whole-school insets on AI, making sure the research of the working group is disseminated across the full school community. All staff has been encouraged to use AI to support them and their students, and each department is innovating in their own way that suits best practice for their students.
The three key areas of AI implementation we are pursuing at Surbiton are:
- Using AI to support teachers in the classroom and in lesson prep.
- Using AI to support admin tasks and increase efficiency.
- Training students in AI literacy and understanding how they can use it to develop their own learning.
Here at Surbiton High School, we stay abreast of AI ethics and have put safeguards in place to protect staff and students. According to our policy, AI can be used by all staff, and all staff have been trained not to put personal data or anything protected under GDPR into an LLM (Large Language Model). Although AI can be used with students of any age to drive learning and push progress, students are not permitted direct access to an LLM until they are in Year 10.
You can learn about our AI journey in a special three-part AI episode on our podcast: