The Department for Education recently released new guidance encouraging teachers to use artificial intelligence to reduce workloads, and the BBC picked up the story. It’s a moment that shows AI is moving from theory into real classrooms.
What you might not have seen is that one of the actual tools behind this shift, already in use across 17 schools, was developed by us at Nimble Approach, in partnership with Lionheart Educational Trust.
Built with teachers, not just for them
We’ve been working closely with Lionheart to design and build an AI-powered feedback tool that helps with marking “low-stakes” assessments – like quizzes and open-text questions.
It’s been a great way to test the approach, build confidence, and get everyone familiar with how it works before thinking about broader use across more assessments and schools.
What does the AI actually do?
Students start by taking the assessment. Then the AI gets to work, generating fast, high-quality draft feedback for teachers to check and adapt before sharing it with students.
Here’s what makes the system stand out:
- It was co-designed with teachers – everything from the tone of the feedback to the workflow was shaped by people in the classroom.
- It puts teachers in control – AI helps generate the feedback, but the final say always lies with the teacher.
- It saves time without cutting corners – freeing teachers up to focus more on students, not spreadsheets.
Echoing the DfE’s direction on AI
The new DfE guidance sets out a clear message: AI should support teachers, not replace them. That’s exactly the philosophy behind the tool we’ve built. They said:
"We're putting cutting-edge AI tools into the hands of our brilliant teachers to enhance how our children learn and develop – freeing teachers from paperwork so they can focus on what parents and pupils need most: inspiring teaching and personalised support,"
— Bridget Phillipson, Education Secretary
That’s exactly how this tool was designed to work, and it’s great to see this way of thinking reflected in national policy.
Hear it from the classroom
Lionheart’s Tim Dolan joined BBC Radio Leicester this week to explain how the system is already being used by students and teachers:
“We can improve the detail, the quality, and the personalisation of the feedback that children are getting and give it to them more frequently. Because we know that feedback is a really effective part of learning.”
— Tim Dolan. Associate Director of Curriculum and Director of Maths at Lionheart Educational Trust
🎙 Listen to the full interview
📰 Read the BBC article
Want to know more?
If you're a school trust, EdTech team, or policymaker wondering what good, practical AI looks like in education, we’d love to share what we’ve learned. Get in touch to hear more.
We’re not talking about replacing teachers or rewriting education. Just using tech in smart, human ways to give teachers back some of their time, and make feedback better for students.
