What ISI Will Ask About AI — And What They Want to See
ISI inspectors are not AI experts. But they are experts at asking questions schools can't answer. Here's what to expect.
ISI inspectors are not AI experts. But they are experts at asking questions schools can’t answer.
AI is appearing in inspection conversations — not as a separate focus, but woven into existing frameworks. Safeguarding. Staff training. Curriculum. Governance.
Here’s what to expect and how to prepare.
Where AI questions appear
Safeguarding. “How do you ensure AI tools don’t create safeguarding risks?” They want to know you’ve thought about data protection, student privacy, and inappropriate content generation.
Staff training. “How are staff trained to use AI safely?” They want evidence — not just that training happened, but that it was effective and is kept current.
Teaching and learning. “What’s your position on AI in the classroom?” They want a coherent policy that staff understand and follow.
Governance. “How do governors have oversight of AI use?” They want to see that the board is informed and has approved your approach.
What good answers look like
Inspectors don’t expect perfection. They expect a defensible position with evidence. That means:
- A written policy that’s been approved by governors
- Training records showing who’s completed AI CPD
- Clear guidance staff can articulate when asked
- Evidence of regular review and updates
If you can produce these quickly when asked, you’re in good shape. If you have to scramble, that tells them something too.
The questions behind the questions
When inspectors ask about AI, they’re really asking:
- Does this school think ahead, or react to crises?
- Is governance functioning properly?
- Do staff understand the school’s policies?
- Is student welfare genuinely prioritised?
Your AI approach is a window into how you manage emerging challenges generally.
When to worry
If an inspector asks about AI and you hear yourself saying:
- “We’re still developing our approach…”
- “Staff use their professional judgment…”
- “I’d need to check with IT…”
…you have a gap that needs closing before inspection, not during it.
The Pedagogue Standard gives you inspection-ready AI documentation: policy, training evidence, and compliance reports exportable in one click. See how it works.
