AI Research Report Published
Published: 30 September 2026
The Governance & Implementation of AI in School Research Project Report 2025-26 has been published by Learn Sheffield and the Computing & Digital Innovation Centre. It reports the findings from a year-long collaborative research project with 12 settings in Sheffield, investigating how to implement AI tools effectively in schools, and the impact on staff workload, staff confidence, and wider teaching and learning outcomes. It identifies a number of recommendations for schools and trusts who are undertaking their own journey in AI governance and implementation.
The report can be found in two place online:
In the publications section of the Learn Sheffield Insights Hub
https://www.learnsheffield.co.uk/LS-Insights-Hub/Learn-Sheffield-Publications
On the Computing & Digital Innovation Centre section of the website
https://www.learnsheffield.co.uk/Projects/Computing-Digital-Innovation-Centre/AI-Research-Programme
More information about taking part in the 2026/27 programme is below and online.
AI Research Programme 2026/27
Learn Sheffield with the Computing & Digital Innovation Centre is offering primary, secondary and special schools the opportunity to take part in its highly successful one-year research programme to investigate either:
- The effective governance and implementation of AI in school, including how to develop an AI policy, and the impact of AI on staff workload, inclusive practice or another school priority.
- The impact of teaching about AI in primary or special schools on pupil AI literacy and staff confidence.
Each project costs £350 and includes up to 2 places, or it can be accessed as part of the AI Enhanced Package. Schools also have access to the Sheffield AI lessons as part of the project (see below).
“I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of the A.I. Research project. Right from the start there was the right balance of educational content, signposting useful resources, and time to experiment with these tools.” - Deputy Head - Governance & Implementation of AI project
"AI is taking over the world but at the same time it helps me with all sorts. I’m starting to get worried because it’s changing lives in a bad way so it can corrupt young people to rely on AI for everything” – Y5 pupil voice
AI Lessons:
- Comprehensive lesson sequence for Year 2 to Year 6 mapped to the computing curriculum, plus full year 5 AI unit
- Sequence of SEND AI activities for pupils working below age expectations
- Full lesson plans, worksheets and slides
- Video guides for teachers to explain key content and background knowledge for each lesson
- RSHE & AI Literacy appendix
- AI progression framework
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