Embracing the Future: How Lionheart is Leading with AI
One of the most exciting developments in education, and beyond, is the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Far from being a distant concept, AI is now a practical tool that’s transforming how we work and learn.
In fact, earlier this year, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced plans to train millions of UK workers in essential skills to use AI, as well as teach AI skills to secondary school aged children to put the technological power, “into the hands of the next generation;” further indication that AI is very much a big part of everyone’s future.
At Lionheart, we are always seeking innovative ways to embrace technology to enhance learning, streamline operations and support our dedicated staff and pupils.
While we are mindful in ensuring we do not misuse AI – especially given supported platforms are still in their infancy – we are proud of the various ways in which we have started to embed AI into our daily practices.
Firstline IT Support for Parents/Carers with AI-Powered Assistant
We understand how important timely IT support is for parents/carers, pupils and staff. That’s why we have introduced AI-powered assistants as the first line of response for IT queries, which for parents, often gives advice on using Beehive.
These intelligent systems can quickly resolve common issues, provide instant answers, and escalate more complex problems to our IT team, ensuring faster, more efficient support across our schools.
Empowering Staff with AI Tools
To help our staff work more efficiently and creatively, we have invested in training across an array of AI technologies. From Canva, which uses AI to simplify design tasks such as for school displays, to Microsoft Copilot, which assists with writing, planning and data analysis, our team is learning how to harness these tools to save time and improve outcomes. This means more time focused on what matters most: teaching and supporting our pupils.
Big Teach: AI for efficient assessment
Developed conjointly by an in-house Lionheart team and external software developers, Big Teach is an AI-powered assessment tool that teachers can utilise to analyse pupil work and provide crucial insights, thus reducing the time spent marking.
This platform – which can be used for multiple choice quizzes and prose answers – enhances teacher judgement, enabling more targeted feedback and allowing learners to access better support. Having initially been piloted in Year 7 and 10 by two Lionheart schools, with positive outcomes, we have rolled out across all Lionheart secondary schools and are now planning how it can be used at primary phase.
More than a trend, AI is now a powerful ally in education, and we are committed to using it thoughtfully and responsibly to benefit our entire school community.
About the author
Lionheart Educational Trust