Heads' Guide to AI: governing AI across learning and school operations
- Academic
- Technology
- Safeguarding
- Privacy
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See what to ask, who to delegate to and what evidence to expect
Understand the Head's role in AI governance: which decisions to delegate, which come to you and which need governing body approval, and how the Diamond Formation brings four school functions into one structure.
Agree a strategy and a usable policy, and recognise AI sprawl when different teams are heading in different directions.
Ask the academic lead the right questions on teaching and learning, assessment and academic integrity, including why an AI detection score must not be the sole basis for a disciplinary finding.
Test your safeguarding and privacy arrangements, from monitoring that connects to a response to DPIA screening and the data journey.
See what Microsoft and Google's approaches to AI mean for school leaders, from Copilot and Fabric to Gemini, Gems and Notebook, including their late-September announcements.
Prepare for AI-enabled cyber risk, including deepfakes and prompt injection, and question how EdTech suppliers use AI, from vibe coded software to Trojan AI.
Communicate plainly with parents, staff and students, run a 90-day review of your approach, report risk to governors and see how 9ine supports the work.
Find five on-demand sessions to watch with your leadership team, and see what a free 30-day Guest Pass includes.
Common questions
Who wrote the guide?
The guide was developed by Mark Orchison, Founder and CEO of 9ine, from his experience of leading workshops, roundtables and Heads' institutes, with Dan Fitzpatrick, The AI Educator, as contributing author.
Does it only apply to schools in England?
No. This is the international edition, written for independent and international schools. Where it refers to England, such as KCSIE 2026 and the Department for Education's product safety standards, treat it as a useful reference point. Schools elsewhere should apply the same questions alongside their local legal duties and accreditation requirements.
What is the Diamond Formation?
It brings four school functions (academic, safeguarding, technology and privacy) into one governance structure. Each contributes its professional judgement before a decision is made, so that leadership can consider the educational or operational value alongside safeguarding, privacy and technical risk.
Do we need an AI strategy or team in place first?
No. If a strategy exists, the guide helps you review it rather than write another. If there is no Diamond team, it shows how to bring the four perspectives together, including through an existing AI working group.
Can I use it with my leadership team?
Yes. It is designed to be used with your leadership team to review current practice and agree a manageable plan, and it points to on-demand recordings you can watch together.