Pearson School Report 2025: UK Educators Voice Concerns Over AI Readiness
Rhea-AI Summary
Pearson (PSO) published the Pearson School Report 2025 showing UK educators' concerns about AI readiness. The survey of more than 14,000 education voices finds 44% of secondary and 31% of primary teachers say students are not adequately equipped for AI. Only 9% of teachers feel confident teaching AI and 23% are not confident using it.
Major demand for training: 57% expect AI to grow in education, 39% used AI in the last fortnight, and educators call for AI in teacher training and expanded qualifications and courses offered by Pearson.
Positive
- 57% of teachers expect AI's role to grow in education
- 39% of teachers used AI tools in the last fortnight
- Pearson's Generative AI Foundations certification reached thousands since Oct 2024
- AI Essentials, EPQ:AI and BTEC AI Fundamentals available for learners
Negative
- 44% of secondary teachers say students are not adequately equipped for AI
- 31% of primary teachers say students are not adequately equipped for AI
- 23% of teachers are not confident using AI; only 9% confident teaching it
- 59% of college tutors say teachers need more AI training
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, PSO gained 0.91%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
Peer moves were mixed: NYT +0.07%, WLYB -0.7%, WLY -0.25%, GCI -1.09%, while SCHL gained 2.98%. Pearson’s 3.01% rise occurred without a clear, consistent sector-wide move.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 04 | AI readiness report | Positive | +0.9% | Survey on UK educators’ AI readiness and demand for Pearson AI training. |
| Nov 18 | AI product launch | Positive | -0.1% | Launch of Communication Coach AI tool integrated into Microsoft 365. |
| Oct 23 | Education partnership | Positive | -0.4% | Partnership to deliver Energy Industry Fundamentals 2.0 course and credentials. |
| Oct 17 | Trading update | Positive | +2.1% | Nine‑month trading update with underlying sales growth and AI product momentum. |
| Sep 09 | Certification deal | Positive | +0.1% | Exclusive global provider agreement for Salesforce certification exams. |
Recent news skew positive (AI tools, partnerships, trading update), with three price reactions aligned and two showing mild divergence, indicating generally constructive but not uniformly strong responses.
Over the last few months, Pearson has reported steady operational progress. The Oct 17 nine‑month trading update showed underlying sales growth and highlighted AI-enabled products and enterprise partnerships. Multiple AI-related launches, such as Study Prep expansion and AI tools for Connections Academy, emphasized digital and AI strategies, while an exclusive Salesforce certification deal broadened assessment reach. Today’s School Report 2025 on AI readiness fits this ongoing narrative of positioning Pearson in AI-enabled education and workforce skills.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement details findings from Pearson’s School Report 2025, with 44% of secondary and 31% of primary teachers saying students are not AI-ready and only 9% confident teaching AI. It underscores demand for AI training in teacher development and highlights Pearson’s AI literacy certifications and courses. In context of prior AI launches and digital initiatives, investors may watch how broadly these training offerings are adopted and whether future updates quantify impact on learning outcomes or institutional uptake.
Key Terms
generative AI technical
digital literacy technical
machine learning technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
The data from the Pearson School Report 2025, which brings together more than 14,000 voices from across the
While educators recognise AI's potential benefits in the classroom, many feel underprepared to guide students in its effective and responsible use. Almost a quarter (
Demand for more training to prepare for an AI-driven world
As the use of AI accelerates rapidly, many schoolteachers and students are already embracing the technology and recognise the role it will play in the future of education:
57% of teachers believe that AI will play a bigger role in education in the future.39% of teachers have used AI tools in the last fortnight.44% of teachers say AI helps save time, particularly in planning lessons and admin.
However, there is demand from both college tutors and schoolteachers for more training on AI:
59% of college tutors believe that teachers/tutors need more AI training.42% of schoolteachers specify that AI should be included in teacher training.43% of teachers identify AI training for staff in their schools as essential to improving students' digital skills.
These findings echo the recommendations of the Curriculum and Assessment Review Final Report, which highlights that recent advancements in AI and generative AI have made digital literacy even more critical. Young people must understand how AI works, what it can and cannot do, and how to use it effectively and responsibly.
Freya Thomas Monk, Managing Director of Pearson Qualifications, said: "Teachers will always be at the heart of students' learning, development, and success. AI's power lies in its ability to support and amplify their role. We need to accelerate investment in the tools, training, and resources that help them harness its potential, while ensuring students gain the skills needed for an AI-enabled future. By acting now and working together across the sector, we can ensure AI is used thoughtfully and responsibly to empower teachers and prepare young people to thrive in a rapidly changing economy."
Educator voices calling for change
Educators are echoing this need for enhanced AI training across the sector. Janeen Hayat, Director of Collective Action at The Fair Education Alliance, warns: "School staff also need more support in impactful use of technology, and AI specifically [...] If we don't invest in the skills and infrastructure the education system needs now, we'll leave more and more young people behind."
Teachers on the frontline are experiencing this skills gap firsthand. One primary classroom teacher explained: "I'm fairly confident using IT and AI but I feel many staff are not. This causes a gap in what children experience as they move through their primary years. [As] teachers we have not been equipped or taught well enough to ensure our children are digitally savvy/competent. This needs fixing urgently!"
The path to more training on AI
Pearson has introduced certifications and training to help build AI literacy:
- Pearson's Generative AI Foundations Certification has reached thousands of learners since launching in October 2024.
- 'AI Essentials' is a short course, powered by ActiveHub, designed in partnership with
Basingstoke College of Technology that provides a foundational understanding of AI, including the responsible use of AI and how to think critically about digital content. - Extended Project Qualification pathway in Gen AI literacy - 'EPQ:AI' is available to Students in the
UK and internationally. - The BTEC Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals course gives learners an understanding of the fundamental functions and operations involved in AI and machine learning.
Recent Pearson News
- Blog: "Empowering Teachers for an AI Future"
- Pearson response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review
- Pearson's EPQ:AI pathway
- GCSE Exam Practice Assistant from Pearson Revise
- Lost in Transition: Gaps in Career Paths Costing the
UK Economy£96 Billion Annually - Pearson and Cebr research on investment in technology in schools
About Pearson
At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to help people realize the life they imagine through learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That's why our c. 18,000 Pearson employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world's lifelong learning company, serving customers in nearly 200 countries with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data. For us, learning isn't just what we do. It's who we are. Visit us at pearsonplc.com.
Media contact
Laura.ewart@pearson.com
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SOURCE Pearson
FAQ
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