The UK Department for Education has released free AI training and support materials for all schools and colleges in England, developed in partnership with Chiltern Learning Trust and the Chartered College of Teaching. The package comprises four modules — AI foundations, practical applications, safe use, and ethical use — available on gov.uk and adaptable for individual or group staff development.
Teachers and school leaders who complete the modules can sit a free multiple-choice certified assessment through the Chartered College of Teaching; passing it awards five credits toward Chartered Teacher Status. The DfE has set a target that at least 60% of schools have at least one senior leader and one classroom teacher certified by Q4 2026.
The materials are voluntary — there is no statutory requirement for schools to use them. Surveys from the National Education Union in early 2026 found 49% of schools had no AI use policy at all, and 43% of teachers rated their AI confidence at three out of ten, indicating significant implementation gaps.
This initiative supplements existing DfE guidance on generative AI in education (published 2024) and does not constitute a binding curriculum mandate or compulsory teacher training requirement.