How do I find out if my child's school allows AI?
Check the school's AI policy, which may sit inside its homework, assessment, academic honesty or acceptable-use policy, then ask the class teacher what is allowed for each kind of task. Rules often differ between practice homework, graded coursework and exams. Until you know, use a safe default: AI can explain, but the work must be your child's own.
Most schools now have some position on AI, but it isn't always easy for parents to find, and it can vary from teacher to teacher. The quickest route is to look for a written policy first, then ask the teacher about specific tasks.
Where to look
- The school website. Search the policies page for "artificial intelligence", "AI", "ChatGPT" or "generative".
- Related policies. AI rules are often added to the homework, assessment, academic honesty, plagiarism, or acceptable-use policy rather than a standalone document.
- The student handbook or home-school agreement.
- Course or assignment instructions. For older students, teachers often state AI rules task by task.
Why rules differ from school to school
There is no single national rule in the UK or the US, so schools set their own within wider guidance.
- England: the Department for Education's policy paper on generative AI in education leaves decisions on use to schools and colleges. For GCSE and A-level coursework, the exam boards' JCQ guidance is strict: work must be the student's own, any AI use must be acknowledged, and misuse is treated as malpractice.
- United States: policies are set by states, districts and schools. In July 2025 the US Department of Education issued guidance confirming that federal funds can support responsible AI uses such as instructional materials and tutoring, which is encouraging more schools to write policies.
Common types of school policy
| Approach | What it usually means for homework |
|---|---|
| Not allowed | No AI for any submitted work |
| Allowed with disclosure | AI can help, but students say how they used it |
| Task by task | The teacher states the rule on each assignment |
| Encouraged for specific uses | Brainstorming, feedback or practice, never final answers |
Questions to ask the teacher
A short, friendly email works well:
- Is AI allowed for homework in your class? For which tasks?
- Should my child say when they've used it, and how?
- Are there tools the school prefers or has approved?
- How do you check whether work is a student's own?
- Does the school use AI tools with students, and what data do they collect?
The last question matters too. In the UK, the ICO says schools should aspire to the standards of its Children's code when choosing online tools.
If there's no policy yet
Use a safe default at home until you hear back:
- AI can explain a topic, quiz your child, or give a hint.
- It doesn't write, solve or rewrite anything that gets handed in.
- If AI helped, your child can say so.
These rules protect your child if the school is strict and still let them benefit if it's relaxed. Tools built to explain rather than hand over answers make the default easier to keep. Askie's homework support is designed that way, and for schools there is a separate Askie for Schools deployment with teacher dashboards and student access codes. Our post on ChatGPT in schools covers the debate, and how to tell if your child is using AI for homework helps at home.
A safe AI your child can talk to
Askie is a voice-first AI companion built for children, with answers adapted to your child's age and parental controls you set.