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

LONDON, Dec. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Research from Pearson (FTSE: PSON.L), the world's lifelong learning company, reveals growing concern among educators about how well young people across the UK are being prepared for an AI-driven future. 

The data from the Pearson School Report 2025, which brings together more than 14,000 voices from across the UK's education landscape, shows that 44% of secondary teachers and 31% of primary teachers believe students are not adequately equipped for the impact of artificial intelligence.

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 (23%) of teachers say they are not confident using AI, and only 9% feel confident teaching it. In response, 42% say AI should be included in teacher training; a clear call for ensuring teachers have the training and support they need today.

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

What did the Pearson School Report 2025 find about UK teachers' confidence with AI (PSO)?

23% of teachers said they are not confident using AI and only 9% feel confident teaching it.

How many educators contributed to Pearson School Report 2025 and what does that mean for PSO?

The report draws on responses from more than 14,000 education professionals, indicating broad sector concern about AI readiness.

What proportion of teachers used AI recently according to Pearson (PSO)?

39% of teachers reported using AI tools in the last fortnight.

What training solutions has Pearson (PSO) introduced for AI literacy?

Pearson offers Generative AI Foundations, the AI Essentials short course, EPQ:AI pathway and BTEC AI Fundamentals.

How many teachers believe AI will play a bigger role in education (PSO)?

57% of teachers said AI will play a bigger role in education in the future.

What do educators want changed after the Pearson School Report 2025?

Educators want AI included in teacher training and more staff AI training to improve students' digital skills.