AI in Assessment: From Theory to Practice

Episode Date: Thursday 2nd April 2026 Computing, IT and cyber security is one of the fastest-moving areas in post-16 education, and one of the most directly affected by qualification reform. As large applied qualifications are phased out, colleges delivering digital programmes must rethink how they structure provision to meet both learner needs and an industry that evolves by the month. In Episode Four of Defunded, Not Derailed, we move from science to digital, applying the same subject-specific lens to explore what strong Level 3 computing, IT and cyber security provision looks like from here. What qualification alternatives are available? How can colleges design programmes that keep pace with rapid industry change? And what role might V Levels and mixed study programmes play in shaping digital pathways? Gavin O'Meara is joined by Vinay Thawait, Subject Advisor at Cambridge OCR, Aman Purewal from Coventry College, and Kris Hyde from Callywith College, to explore how digital specialists are navigating reform and what curriculum leaders should be considering now. Defunded Not Derailed was produced by FE News in partnership with Cambridge OCR.

Speaker Nashwa Aly Muhammad Session information This practical session addresses the limitations of one-size-fits-all assessments. It explores the positive impact of creating equitable opportunities for all learners, including those with special educational needs, while catering to cultural differences and varied learning preferences. Learn about the key principles of accessible and inclusive assessment and how to integrate these to accommodate diverse needs, by providing alternative testing formats and designing fair and unbiased assessments.

In this webinar, David Byrne and Mark Heffernan will explore the importance of discussing voice and persona with learners. With the development of AI, it’s become even more important for learners to know their voice, to know how they want to come across, and to stand out from AI generated content. This content is available to Modern English Teacher subscribers.

In this webinar, Simon Murphy, Executive Headteacher at Scoill Phurt Le Moireey School, joins Anna Rushby, Chief Product Officer at Juniper Education, to share how his primary school changed its approach to assessment tracking. You’ll hear the practical steps taken to reduce admin, introduce new ways of working, and give teachers more time to focus on pupil progress. A real account of leading change in a school, including what worked and what they would do differently.

Are today’s classroom technologies really making teachers’ lives easier? In this episode of Teachwire Talks, Helen Mulley is joined by Ashleigh Kennedy from Dell Technologies and product marketing consultant Richi Fontaine to explore whether edtech is living up to its promise. Together, they discuss how technology has transformed schools, from interactive whiteboards to AI, and examine why workload remains such a challenge, even as new tools continue to emerge. Finally, they share practical insights into using digital tools more strategically, helping you save time while improving teaching and learning. About ED360 Teachers are under growing pressure to manage heavier workloads, respond to diverse student needs, close learning gaps, and confidently adopt new digital and AI-enabled approaches in the classroom. To support them effectively, schools need practical tools and accessible professional learning that can make an immediate difference. A clear next step is to register to join ED360 – Dell’s hub for smarter teaching – where educators can explore practical ideas, tackle common challenges, and see how modern technology and AI can support teaching and learning. The platform includes webinars, podcasts, classroom-ready resources, and expert-led content designed to help schools embrace future-ready IT and bring AI-driven learning into the classroom. Alongside ED360, educators can also benefit from other valuable resources such as Microsoft Learning Zone and Intel Skills for Innovation. Intel Skills for Innovation helps educators integrate technology into everyday learning through ready-to-use lesson plans, professional development, and real-world projects that build digital, problem-solving, and innovation skills. Microsoft Learning Zone is an AI-powered education app from Microsoft designed to help teachers create interactive lessons and learning activities more quickly. Register to join ED360 here . By encouraging teachers and school leaders to engage with ED360 and these wider resources, we can help reduce pressure, build confidence, and give educators practical support to create more engaging, inclusive, and future-ready learning experiences.

Webinar series: AI in Primary History Session 4: AI Black Box: responsible use for primary teachers Presenter: Dr Vanessa Cui, Dr Louise Wheatcroft, Dr Jordan Bird Generative AI offers incredible potential for resource creation for teachers, but the current dominant generative AI tools' core function is to be an agreeable, helpful assistant. This often leads to oversimplified narratives and a lack of necessary nuance and criticality, not to mention the common ethical challenges generative AI tools present such as bias, inaccuracy and environmental impact. These challenges potentially can compromise the quality of teaching materials and the ethics of teachers' practice. This focused 60-minute session is designed to inform teachers about principles of how dominant Generative AI models function, including the crucial role of Alignment (training on human preference) in the way generative AI responds to human inputs with the aim to empower teachers to confidently understand, evaluate, and responsibly use generative AI tools across their professional practice. This session includes: Understanding agreement: explain the principle of alignment (human preference training) to teachers and why it causes AI to avoid complexity, challenge, and conflicting evidence. The criticality challenge: evaluate the key pitfalls of using AI for history — including historical bias, presentism, and factual hallucinations — and learn to spot them. The CLEAR Prompting Framework: you will gain an actionable framework designed for more critical engagement with dominant generative AI tool and consider its use in your practice. Action plan for responsible use: leave with a concrete plan, identifying up to three actions you can responsibly integrate AI into your professional practice, including the necessary steps for safe and ethical implementation in your school. Non-member instant-access price: £45.00 HA Members can get instant access for £30.00

What is the webinar about? Children and young people are growing up alongside AI tools that respond instantly, adapt to them, and feel surprisingly conversational. These moments can spark curiosity and connection, but they also introduce pressures that may shape how young people feel, relate and regulate - and the pace of change is faster than our understanding of its emotional impact. Join us for a fireside conversation where Thrive’s Viv Trask-Hall is joined by digital education specialist, Anthony Magee, and Safeguarding and Mental Health GLF Trust Lead, Fiona Jarman, to explore the emerging ways AI is shaping children’s emotional and social worlds, and how schools can respond. You’ll gain a high-level understanding of the emerging impact of AI, drawing on data and behavioural insights, alongside relational perspectives on supporting young people’s wellbeing as technology evolves.

Too often, KS3 is seen as a warm-up for the 'real' work of KS4. But what if it’s actually the engine room of thinking, curiosity, and confidence? In this session, Mary talks with Steve Willshaw and Alex Fairlamb about the research supporting a more demanding offer for pupils at Key Stage 3.

Speaker Paula Asad Session information Have you ever felt overwhelmed by stacks of test papers, questioning whether they truly reflect what your learners know or can do? In this practical webinar, we reimagine traditional testing and explore creative strategies to help learners authentically demonstrate their learning. Discover how to use whiteboards and exit tickets for instant feedback, how to apply teach-back methods to deepen understanding and how to design authentic assessments that foster higher-order thinking.

Over the last 6 years, the Rethinking Education Conference has examined how earning happens and how it must evolve—through competency-based approaches, digital transformation, learner empowerment, leadership development, and child development. In 2026, the conversation hits a critical turning point, with a focus on coherent learning systems with the theme: From Pedagogic Innovations to Impact: Building Coherent Learning Systems for Skills Development Across the world, education systems are rich in initiatives - but poor in alignment. Innovation has outpaced coherence. Pilots have multiplied, yet impact remains uneven and fragile. This conference invites researchers, educators, system leaders, policymakers, and practitioners to move beyond isolated reforms and engage with a central challenge: How do we design, align, and sustain learning systems that genuinely support skills development at scale? We invite abstracts that explore: - System coherence across curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, and technology - Translating educational innovation into measurable, sustained impact - Teacher and leadership capacity as system infrastructure - Skills development in digitally mediated systems - Policy, governance, and financing for integrated learning systems - African and global perspectives on system-level education reform - Evidence-based models that connect learning to life outcomes Day 0 29 July Pre-conference Dinner and Networking ​ Day 1 30 July Demonstrations and Workshop Day 2 31 July Academic Presentations Day 3 1 August Roundtable Discussions and Reflections

Wednesday, 9th September and Thursday, 10 September 2026 2.30pm-6.00pm | 2.30pm-5.30pm ONLINE ONLY Join us this September for a timely and practical online conference exploring the opportunities, risks and realities of artificial intelligence in schools. Organised by SecEd and Headteacher Update, the event follows the success of our previous two AI in Schools online conferences, bringing together leading practitioners, researchers and school leaders. It is designed to support educators at every stage of their AI journey – from early exploration to whole-school implementation. Across two focused afternoons, you will gain expert insights, honest reflections and actionable guidance to help you harness AI’s potential while safeguarding your school community. Designed for school leaders, teachers and education professionals, the conference will offer practical guidance, informed debate and real-world insights to support confident, responsible use of AI in schools. Don't miss this chance to shape how your school uses AI. Whether you are shaping strategy, refining classroom practice or supporting staff development, this conference will equip you with the knowledge, confidence and tools to lead effectively in an AI-enabled world. Who should attend? Senior leaders Colleagues with responsibility for teaching and learning Teachers Leaders of CPD Middle leaders Teaching assistants

The event explores how institutions can respond to technological transformation while preserving their educational mission & public purpose. Artificial intelligence is accelerating change across higher education, challenging established assumptions about teaching, assessment, expertise, and the value of a university education. As new models of learning emerge, what should the university of the future look like? Who will shape it, who will benefit from it, and what role should universities play in preparing people for a rapidly changing world? This panel will explore how institutions can respond to technological transformation while preserving their educational mission and public purpose.