Sydenham & Dulwich Girls GDST is proud to announce that the school has been awarded the Gold AI Quality Mark by the Good Future Foundation – the highest level of recognition for schools demonstrating exemplary leadership, integrity and impact in the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence.
This prestigious award places Sydenham & Dulwich Girls among the UK’s leading schools shaping the future of education through thoughtful, ethical and evidence‑based AI integration.
A Whole‑School Commitment to Innovation and Integrity
The Good Future Foundation assessor praised the school, noting that Sydenham & Dulwich Girls “demonstrated exemplary intent and implementation of AI” with particular strengths in Leadership & Vision, Assessment, Professional Development, and Ethics, Bias & Safeguarding.
This recognition reflects a multi‑year strategic effort to embed AI meaningfully across the school. Highlights include:
- A clearly defined SLT‑level Digital Innovation Lead role, co‑chairing the GDST AI Committee and shaping trust‑wide strategy .
- A bespoke SPARK framework, robust AI policy, and communication with parents — ensuring transparency and shared understanding.
- External recognition through national award shortlisting and presentations at major sector events, demonstrating leadership beyond the school gates.
These achievements affirm the school’s position as a leader in educational innovation.
Curriculum, Teaching and Assessment: AI with Purpose
The assessor highlighted the school’s curriculum as “genuinely impressive,” with meaningful cross‑curricular examples such as:
- Year 9 Geography’s vibe‑coding SDG project
- Art’s surreal image creation using Gemini
- A Level EPQ guidance mapping legitimate and illegitimate AI use to JCQ expectations
Teaching and learning were commended for developing pupils’ critical AI literacy through initiatives such as the Year 10 AI Hackathon and NotebookLM revision assembly.
Assessment was identified as a standout strength. The school’s AI Acceptable Use Scale – displayed in classrooms, referenced in assemblies and embedded in parent communication – was described as “thoughtful, pragmatic” and “embedded in culture” .
These elements demonstrate a coherent, values‑driven approach to AI in curriculum design and responsible assessment practice.
Professional Development: A Model for the Sector
The Good Future Foundation recognised the school’s sustained, high‑quality professional development programme as “exemplary,” noting:
- Whole‑staff INSET on AI
- A thriving AI Special Interest Group
- Dedicated training for office and operational staff
- Trust‑wide leadership through GDST committees and national conferences
This whole‑school approach ensures that every member of staff is equipped to use AI confidently, ethically and creatively; a hallmark of sector‑leading professional development.
Ethics, Bias & Safeguarding: A Gold‑Standard Approach
The assessor described this category as “one of the strongest,” highlighting:
- A comprehensive Generative AI Risk Assessment addressing issues such as AI companionship and medical advice
- Multi‑stranded curriculum coverage across Computer Science, RS and PSHE
- A forthcoming Year 9 AI Bias Awareness course, directly aligned with the school’s mission as a girls’ school
This reflects the school’s unwavering commitment to ethical AI practice and safeguarding.
A Milestone for the School — and a Signal to the Sector
This Gold Award is more than a badge of honour. It is a testament to the school’s belief that AI, when used with integrity and imagination, can enhance human potential and expand opportunities for young people.
It recognises the dedication of staff, the curiosity of students, and the trust of families; a community united in shaping a future where girls lead with confidence, compassion and courage.
Sydenham & Dulwich Girls GDST will continue to build on this achievement, sharing practice across the GDST network and the wider sector, and ensuring that every pupil benefits from an education that is both future‑focused and deeply human.
Huge thanks to our Digital Innovation Lead, Mrs Buckler, for all her hard work in this area.
