Thumbs up as UK EdTech trial sees teachers tapping new AI powered lesson planning tool
It was recently announced that the UK government is recruiting around 450 teachers to take part in a trial of a new AI lesson planning tool.
This is currently expected to involve 86 primary schools, with ex-teacher and Head of STEM at Save My Exams, Lucy Kirkham, weighing in on the benefits of the solution.
One of the key benefits highlighted by her is that it’s a step towards decreasing the growing workload teachers have, as the AI tool helps speed up often time consuming processes.
She comments: “The advancement of AI presents an exciting opportunity. AI has the potential to provide meaningful support to teachers, particularly in areas such as time management and organisation. However, further development is likely required before it can fully address the diverse skill sets and specific demands associated with different teaching roles."
“We know there is already a concerning number of teachers leaving the profession due to their workload, with 97% citing this as a reason, but the opportunity for teachers to use AI in lesson planning could open up opportunities for other aspects of their role to be AIassisted as well.”
Full-time teachers spend half of their jobs planning lessons, marking, and doing administrative work. “Teachers can use the time previously allocated for lesson planning to focus now on other tasks,” Kirkham observes. “Despite ongoing efforts over the years to reduce the number of non-teaching responsibilities placed on teachers, their time remains almost evenly divided between teaching and administrative duties.”
“AI can help make processes such as lesson planning and marking more efficient, providing teachers with more time for personal feedback to students, and creating space for human, face-to-face conversations.”
Kirkham adds: “Teachers often work late in the evenings, often with work spilling into the weekends and holidays, to ensure their work gets done. This is just one of the many reasons they state their mental health is negatively impacted by their job. While many factors cause teachers' stress, a decreased workload improved by AI could help maintain a healthier work-life balance.”
She also highlights her recommendations on how teachers can manage their lesson planning and workload more efficiently without the use of technology.
“Carefully planning the tasks you intend to complete within a given timeframe can help reduce feelings of being overwhelmed and support workload management. While it is important to remain realistic with expectations, conducting a few trial runs may assist in identifying a routine that works best.”
“One of the most beneficial approaches is batch planning. Allocating dedicated time each week to plan multiple lessons in advance allows for greater coherence across the curriculum and reduces day-to-day planning pressures. This strategy supports continuity of learning and encourages a more strategic approach to teaching, smaller tweaks can be made between lessons based on student progress and understanding.”
“The use of reusable templates, such as formats for lesson objectives, classroom activities, and assessment criteria, can significantly reduce preparation time. By creating a bank of adaptable resources, teachers can focus more energy on refining content rather than developing materials from scratch.”
“Collaborative planning should also be encouraged. Sharing schemes of work, lesson materials, and assessment ideas among colleagues not only enhances consistency across departments but also reduces duplication of effort. Establishing shared resource banks within faculties can be particularly effective.”
RTIH AI in Retail Awards
Our sister title, RTIH, organiser of the industry leading RTIH Innovation Awards, proudly brings you the first edition of the RTIH AI in Retail Awards, which is now open for entries.
As we witness a digital transformation revolution across all channels, AI tools are reshaping the omnichannel game, from personalising customer experiences to optimising inventory, uncovering insights into consumer behaviour, and enhancing the human element of retailers' businesses.
With 2025 set to be the year when AI and especially gen AI shake off the ‘heavily hyped’ tag and become embedded in retail business processes, our newly launched awards celebrate global technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world and the resulting benefits for retailers, shoppers and employees.
Our 2025 winners will be those companies who not only recognise the potential of AI, but also make it usable in everyday work - resulting in more efficiency and innovation in all areas.
Winners will be announced at an evening event at The Barbican in Central London on Wednesday, 3rd September.
This will kick off with a drinks reception in the stunning Conservatory, followed by a three course meal, and awards ceremony in the Garden Room.
Please email RTIH Editor, Scott Thompson, if you have any questions or need further information: scott.thompson@retailtechinnovationhub.com
Key 2025 dates
Friday, 18th July: Award entry deadline
Tuesday, 22nd July: 2025 finalists revealed
Wednesday, 23rd July - Friday, 8th August: Judging days
Wednesday, 3rd September: Winners announced at the 2025 RTIH AI in Retail Awards Ceremony, to be held at The Barbican in Central London.
