Multi-academy trusts run schools at scale, with heavy admin and stretched teachers — and clear DfE guidance on AI. Here’s how to adopt it responsibly in 2026. (dgm implements osFoundry as an independent partner; educational and safeguarding policy stays with the trust.)

Where AI helps

  • lesson-planning and marking support — reducing teacher workload;
  • administrative automation across the trust;
  • communications; and
  • operations (HR, finance, reporting).

Always with human oversight. Trust-wide admin and operations are often the strongest, lowest-risk start.

DfE guidance

The DfE’s policy paper “Generative artificial intelligence (AI) in education” (updated June 2025) and support materials set clear expectations:

  • personal data should not be input into generative AI tools;
  • schools must prevent pupils’ original work being used to train AI models;
  • human oversight is required; and
  • tools can hallucinate, reproduce bias or mishandle sensitive data.

Schools/trusts retain autonomy on implementation.

Children’s data and safeguarding

This is the critical constraint. Keep pupil data out of consumer AI, use a governed tool that keeps data controlled, and follow UK GDPR (children’s data) and Keeping Children Safe in Education safeguarding. The DfE’s “no personal data into generative AI” expectation makes data control essential.

Every trust needs an AI policy

Because schools retain autonomy within DfE guidance, a clear trust/school AI policy — acceptable use, data rules, human oversight — is essential. It turns DfE expectations into practical rules staff can follow. (See how to write an AI use policy.)

Where osFoundry and dgm fit

dgm builds data-controlled AI on osFoundry for trust-wide admin and operations: data control (self-hosting or an EU region — it publishes US/EU/JP regions, not a UK one) so pupil/staff data isn’t sent to consumer tools, audit, and human oversight. Usage pricing suits trust budgets.

dgm is an independent integration partner with zero integrations so far — no school case studies to claim. Educational and safeguarding policy stays with the trust. To scope a DfE-aware AI project, book a consultation with dgm. Not educational or safeguarding advice.