Senior School newsletter – 18 September 2026
Issue 1/2026/27
Head’s welcome
“Why don’t you just ask AI?” is a response that I seem to be giving to my family at home regularly. One of my children used EcoGP yesterday to diagnose and fix a problem with their laptop (which I had no idea about); we’ve used Chat GPT to plan a family trip at half-term, saving hours of dull internet research; Co-Pilot helps me provide analysis into the independent education sector to brief colleagues… and the list goes on. I find it impossible not to marvel at what an incredibly useful and versatile invention artificial intelligence is to solve problems, provide insight and boost productivity. Yet this all comes with a caveat created by the pace of its development, its awesome power, and consequent fears about what it may or may not do to human intelligence and safety. In the last week, the 1950s sci-fi element has been stepped up, with headlines shouting that AI could ‘wipe out humanity’. As with most things – especially in the education of children – balance is the key.
Most young people I talk to at school are using AI tools regularly and have an instinctive sense of the quality of generated content, tapping into that teenage superpower: cynicism. This is not a failsafe critical gatekeeper, of course, and the temptation to use it instead of thinking (rather than to support it) is strong for a generation raised on instant gratification. Clearly, schools play an important role in helping them learn to use it well, without plagiarising others’ work or cutting corners to understanding, and to achieve that balance that we are after.
The reality is that children across the UK are using AI often without guidance, and not always in ways that serve their learning. Whereas 66.5% of UK 13–18-year-olds report using AI regularly, only 15% of them feel they’ve had meaningful guidance on it from their school. Every Head I meet is grappling with the same issues. A meaningful approach is challenging to establish: by the time a policy is worked through and adopted, the AI model it was written for may already be out of date. The result is a widening gap between how learners are using these tools and how ready schools are to respond.
Consequently, I am delighted that we have introduced a new, comprehensive AI learning programme that synthesises our educational principles with the current landscape of AI and its potential for children’s learning. It will equip pupils to engage with it confidently, responsibly and effectively. It works around three fundamental principles: that children will become Safe in their understanding of AI, Skilled in their application of it, and Successful in a world increasingly shaped by it.
I urge all parents to read Mr Chipperton’s guide to Learning with AI at Kimbolton in this Newsletter. As ever, please do contact us if you would like to discuss any aspect of it.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Will Chuter
Headmaster
“Our aim is for pupils to become safe in their understanding of AI, skilled in its application, and successful in a world increasingly shaped by it.”
Will Chuter
Headmaster
Whole school updates
Artificial Intelligence education
This year we have introduced a comprehensive AI learning programme across the school that equips pupils to engage with AI confidently, responsibly and effectively. Our ambition is to develop young people who are Safe in their understanding, Skilled in their application, and Successful in navigating a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.
How will my child gain from it?
They will develop a clear understanding of how AI works, its opportunities and limitations, and the ethical considerations that accompany its use. They will learn how to use AI safely and responsibly, evaluate AI-generated content critically, recognise potential risks such as bias and misinformation, and uphold the highest standards of academic integrity. Alongside this, they will develop the practical skills needed to use AI productively to support learning, research, problem-solving and creativity.
This programme builds on our existing approach of clearly indicating where, when and how AI may be used in pupil tasks and assessments. By providing explicit guidance on appropriate AI use, we help pupils develop good habits, maintain academic integrity and understand the distinction between using AI as a tool to support learning and relying on it to replace independent thought.
How will it be delivered?
Through our PSHE programme, tutorial curriculum and the Sixth Form Super-Curriculum, as well as in Integrated Learning Days and cross-curricular opportunities. By embedding AI education throughout the pupil experience, we aim to ensure that every pupil is not only knowledgeable about it, but also capable of using it with judgement, creativity and purpose.
Accessing your child’s homework
Now that the term is fully underway, please do consider signing up to Satchel One. This platform allows you to see the homework that your child has been set. To sign up, please follow the instructions which can be found here:
Home Learning adjustments
Our pupil and parent survey about home learning highlighted several important themes, which we have addressed below. Together, these changes are designed to strengthen the partnership between home and school and ensure that home learning remains a purposeful, effective and valuable part of every pupil’s education.
Clearer purpose and expectations
Every task set through Microsoft Teams will now be identified according to its learning purpose, whether that is practising new skills, revising prior learning, preparing for future lessons, applying knowledge in new contexts or extending understanding. This is so that pupils and parents understand its purpose.
Greater transparency for pupils
Home learning tasks via Teams will also indicate the level of AI use permitted and the type of feedback pupils can expect. This will help pupils understand not only what they are doing, but why they are doing it and how it will support their progress.
Preparing for learning
We will make greater use of pre-reading and other preparatory activities where appropriate, enabling pupils to arrive at lessons better equipped to engage with new ideas, richer discussion and deeper learning.
Consistency across the school
All home learning will continue to be set through Microsoft Teams, deadlines will be clear, tasks will be introduced in lessons, and teachers will continue to balance challenge, independence and workload appropriately.
Music Diary: Autumn Term 2026
From concerts and recitals to Dear Evan Hansen, festive performances and the School Choir’s Christmas tour to the Netherlands, there is plenty to look forward to from our Senior School musicians this term.
Mr Gibbs, Director of Music, has brought together all the key dates, performance details and ensemble rehearsal times in the Autumn Term Music Diary.
Senior School and Sixth Form Open Morning
Our Senior School and Sixth Form Open Morning takes place this Saturday, 19 September, from 10.00am–12.30pm.
Visitors will have the opportunity to meet our school leaders, teachers and current families, as well as explore our facilities and discover more about the Kimbolton experience.
If you know any families who may be interested in joining our school community, please do share the details with them.
Macmillan Coffee Morning
Join us for our Macmillan Coffee Morning on Friday 25 September, from 8.30–10.30am in the Hunter Hall at Kimbolton Prep.
Please bring along or buy some delicious cakes and treats, catch up with other members of the Kimbolton community and help us raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.
We look forward to seeing you there—and enjoying plenty of cake for a very good cause!
Splaat photo – information for families
Since introducing Splaat Photo, we have received several helpful questions from parents about how the service works, including photography arrangements, registration, facial matching, purchasing options, and data protection.
We have therefore prepared a detailed FAQ to explain the purpose of the service, the safeguards in place and the choices available to families. We hope this provides useful clarification, but if you have any further questions, please contact Jeanette Ariano, Director of External Relations, at marketing@kimboltonschool.com.
If you have any issues with losing your portrait card, or any questions for Splaat, then do contact them directly, at: team@splaatphoto.co.uk.
KSPA Annual Review Meeting
All parents are warmly invited to attend the KSPA Annual Review Meeting on Monday 5 October 2026 at 7.00pm.
The meeting will take place in the White Hall, Kimbolton Castle. Please enter the Castle via the Portico steps.
We hope you will be able to join us.
Splaat Photo – information for families
Since introducing Splaat Photo, we have received several helpful questions from parents about how the service works, including photography arrangements, registration, facial matching, purchasing options, and data protection.
We have therefore prepared a detailed FAQ to explain the purpose of the service, the safeguards in place and the choices available to families. We hope this provides useful clarification, but if you have any further questions, please contact Jeanette Ariano, Director of External Relations.
