AI in schools: Meet Sherborne’s new ‘Sherbot’

Written by David Wild and published by School Management Plus.

In an era where technology influences every facet of life, Sherborne is embracing this transformation by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into education. Honouring the legacy of alumnus Prof. Alan Turing the father of modern computing and AI – Sherborne is at the forefront of an educational revolution with its innovative AI platform, Sherbot.

Since joining Sherborne as head of computer science in 2019, I have been committed to incorporating cutting-edge technology into the curriculum. Sherbot is the culmination of this effort – a transformative tool designed to enrich teaching and learning, making education more engaging, inclusive, and effective.

The AI revolution in education

While the role of teachers continually evolves, true revolutions are rare. Past shifts included the advent of the internet and the introduction of computers and calculators. The current AI revolution is distinct– swift, affordable, and widely accessible. A survey conducted at Sherborne revealed that out of 281 respondents, approximately 190 pupils regularly use AI in their work.

Educating on responsible AI use

Recognising AI’s prevalence, Sherborne proactively guides students in responsible usage. Throughout the year, pupils have attended assemblies and worked through specially created materials highlighting both the benefits and potential pitfalls of AI. Class teachers have been using Sherbot to enhance their subjects, stimulate students, and enrich learning.

An AI policy was established for both staff and pupils, providing clear guidelines on appropriate AI use. Teachers participated in dedicated INSET sessions focusing on the educational advantages and challenges of AI. Despite the rapidly changing landscape, Sherborne remains committed to leveraging AI for the benefit of its students.

Introducing Sherbot

To address the limitations of general AI tools like ChatGPT, which often present a blank canvas without guidance, Sherborne developed Sherbot – a platform tailored to educational needs. Sherbot aims to:

• Provide equal access: Free at the point of use for all students, ensuring everyone has the same opportunities.
• Offer a consistent experience: Uniform access and functionality for all pupils and teachers.
• Enrich learning: Features that support and enhance the educational process, going beyond basic AI capabilities.
• Empower teachers: Tools for creating and distributing pedagogically sound content effectively.
• Promote critical thinking: A rich library of prompts designed to stimulate thoughtful engagement.
• Integrate seamlessly: Compatibility with classes and the school’s management information system.

Alignment with Ofqual regulations

Sherbot supports compliance with Ofqual regulations on AI use in coursework. It enables students to catalogue the prompts they used and include this information in their submissions, thereby avoiding examination regulation issues. All pupils submitting coursework to exam boards received explicit training on how AI can or should be used. A questionnaire was devised to guide them in identifying ways to leverage AI while staying within the rules.

Celebrating student innovations

Sherborne encourages students to explore Sherbot’s applications creatively. Notably, Oscar (Upper Sixth) and Ian (third form) were awarded Sherbot mugs for their exceptional use of the platform. Ian also received a headmaster’s commendation for his insightful utilisation of Sherbot’s “Variables” feature. This contributed significantly to his mastery of third form computer science, earning him a platinum certificate in the Sherborne Programming Challenges – one of only four pupils to achieve this distinction.

Sherbot in action

Sherbot includes voice-to-text and text-to-voice capabilities. Oscar used Sherbot extensively to improve his German pronunciation and grammar. He described it as “revolutionising how my peers and I revise and learn,” noting that “Sherbot has made learning much more enjoyable by enabling students to input texts in a foreign language and then hear them read aloud with accurate pronunciation.”

A typical Sherbot session might involve using built-in prompts that contain strong educational features, guiding students through complex topics and encouraging deeper understanding.

A pupil-led project: Sherbot.org

Looking ahead, I run a co-curricular club – a virtual company, Sherbot.org. Students have applied for roles in various departments, including programming, marketing, project management, user interface design, social media, AI, and quality assurance. This initiative offers practical experience in operating a software company, managing software releases, making incremental improvements, and collaborating with teachers to enhance the software.

Pupils submitted CVs and provided a cover letter explaining their suitability for the roles. Parents, stay tuned – commercial leads may be offering you a licence to use Sherbot in the next few months!

Conclusion

Sherbot is more than an AI tool; it embodies Sherborne’s commitment to empowering students in their educational journey with AI. By merging a rich historical heritage with modern technological innovation, we are ensuring that our students are well-prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.