Future proofing schools: Bringing school policies into the AI era

The digital landscape in education has evolved rapidly, necessitating updates to Acceptable Use Policies (AUPs) that reflect current technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI). This study analysed the AUPs of 51 large post-primary schools, with student populations exceeding 1,000, uncovering a concerning trend: very few AUPs are current for the Academic Year 2024/25, with many still dating from before 2020. A survey of one-in-seven leaders examined the challenges schools face in updating AUPs to keep pace with rapid digital and AI developments. Given limited guidance from the Department of Education, school leaders emphasised the urgent need for relevant, updated policies.