Use of AI at Surbiton Prep Schools | Surbiton High School
Using AI At School
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Use of AI at Surbiton Prep Schools

The development and evolution of artificial intelligence presents one of the most exciting opportunities for education in the 21st Century. With the potential to transform our world, it is a force we cannot ignore. However, its rapid advancement also places us on the edge of the unknown, urging us to proceed with caution while embracing its possibilities. At Surbiton High School, we believe in the cautious implementation of AI to enhance and complement our pupils’ learning experience, not replace it. AI is a tool that can support our pupils and their teachers, making learning more engaging, and tailored and keeping it at the forefront of technological advance.

Traditional vs AI

While AI can enhance the efficiency of and engagement with educational content delivery, we remain steadfast in our commitment to nurturing human intelligence. Traditional teaching methods will continue to be at the heart of our curriculum, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and intellectual curiosity in our pupils. We remain dedicated to preserving the essence of teacher-pupil interactions and the cultivation of essential Learning Habits that empower our pupils to excel in an ever-changing world.

Fostering Ethical Integration

We aim to create an environment where pupils are not just passive consumers of technology but active participants in shaping its ethical integration. Pupils will be encouraged to question the validity and ethical implications of technology in their daily lives. Our teachers will guide, support, and inspire pupils to become responsible digital citizens who use technology as a force for good. Through regular updating, training and auditing, we aim to ensure that AI tools are not perpetuating or amplifying biases, delivering experiences that actively promote fairness within an environment where pupils are encouraged to challenge and change inequity.

Transparency

Transparency is fundamental to our approach. We will ensure that all stakeholders understand the role of AI in our educational processes. This includes clear communication about how AI systems are used, the data they collect, and the algorithms that drive them. We are committed to open dialogues with pupils, parents, and staff about the ethical considerations of AI, fostering a culture of transparency, trust, and accountability.

Central to this is protecting our pupils’ data. The school strictly adheres to data protection regulations and will continue to do so, treating interactions with AI in the same way that we currently do with all software, apps and websites. We will continue to be guided by the ideal that no data needs to be shared, and where this cannot be avoided, a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) has to be completed prior. We will continue to comply with all relevant data protection regulations, ensuring that pupil data is never used for commercial or unethical purposes.

AI at School

We are dipping our toes in gently. Often, our pupils will be unaware that their teacher has utilised any form of AI. We have blocked the pupils from accessing the sites of a few of the main protagonists in the AI arena, in part because there are often age restrictions that need to be adhered to (e.g. ChatGPT guidelines stipulate 13+). These restrictions (as with all websites) are also filtered on the pupils’ iPads at home. However, on their own devices, this will unlikely be the case. Therefore, we ask you to join us in opening up the debate at home, helping to safeguard your child, and reinforcing their need to take a critical approach to the use of AI.

This Ethical Use Statement on Artificial Intelligence reflects our commitment to providing an education that combines the best of AI-enhanced learning with the timeless values of traditional education. We strive to empower our students to navigate an AI-infused world with wisdom, ethics, and a commitment to lifelong learning. Together, we will shape a future where technology serves humanity responsibly and ethically.