So, the new DfE-backed AI guidance has landed. Drawn up by Chiltern Learning Trust and the Chartered College of Teaching, it suggests AI could help schools with everything from writing letters home (including the classic nit outbreak one), to lesson ideas, SEND adaptations, timetabling, budget analysis and even CPD planning.

For those of us who’ve been working in schools long enough to remember overhead projectors, this all might sound a bit… much. And if you’re a MAT CEO or school leader, you may well be thinking: Do we really have time to figure all this out?

The answer is yes – but only if it helps, not hinders.

AI isn’t about replacing people or piling on new systems. It’s about making the day-to-day that little bit lighter. Less scrambling around for a last-minute reading comprehension. Less time spent rewording the same attendance letter. More time for actual thinking, teaching, and – dare we say it – breathing.

At askKira, we’re already working with schools using AI in exactly the way this guidance suggests: to reduce workload, support pupils, and bring a bit of balance back. Built by educators, for educators, our tools are GDPR-safe, school-specific, and (crucially) shaped by what teachers actually need.

But let’s not get carried away. AI has limitations. It can’t replace your pastoral instincts, or handle a safeguarding concern, or spot that something’s not quite right with a child. It also doesn’t always get things right – hallucinations, bias and data safety are real issues, and they need proper oversight and human judgement.

So if you’re thinking of dipping a toe in, start with a clear plan. Make sure your tools are safe, your policies are solid, and your staff feel supported – not steamrolled.

Because yes, AI can write your nit letters. But with the right approach, it can also help your teachers reclaim their time, your leaders gain insight, and your pupils get a better deal.

We’d love to share what’s working in other schools. No jargon. No pressure. Just a conversation.