Understands AI
What it looks like
Explains to a colleague how AI generates content, what it cannot know and why review matters.
Evidence you might include
A short written or recorded explanation in your own words.
SPARK ACADEMY · TEACHER AI CERTIFICATION
Show what thoughtful AI teaching looks like.
A structured programme that brings the Spark Academy topics together. Plan, teach and review real lessons with AI, build a portfolio of your practice and reflect on the impact with a mentor. It recognises judgement, not button clicks.
- 4 stages
- 6 competencies
- 1 reviewed classroom portfolio
SPARK ACADEMYThis recognises that
Your namehas completed the Spark Academy programme and a reviewed classroom portfolio as a
Teacher AI Certification
- Foundations
- Classroom practice
- Portfolio
- Reflection
WHAT IT RECOGNISES
Not a tool test. A record of practice.
Knowing which buttons to press is the easy part. The certification asks you to show the harder, more valuable habits: giving AI the right context, reviewing every draft critically, using evidence of learning to decide what comes next and protecting the learners in your care.
You do that with real lessons. Your portfolio shows the prompt, the draft, the changes you made and why, what happened when you taught it and what you would do differently. A mentor or colleague discusses it with you before it is reviewed.
The certificate is issued by SparkSchool AI. It is professional learning recognition, not a government, board or university qualification, and it does not replace any teacher licensing requirement.
Four stages, from understanding to evidence.
Each stage builds on the last. Timing is agreed with each cohort, so you have time to teach and reflect between stages.
- 01
Foundations
Build a shared understanding of how AI works, where it goes wrong and how to use it responsibly.
- AI foundations for teachers
- Responsible AI in the classroom
- A short reflection on your current practice
- 02
Classroom practice
Apply AI to the core of teaching work: planning lessons, assessing learning and planning next steps.
- AI-powered lesson planning
- Assessment and remediation
- Practice tasks with your own classes
- 03
Portfolio
Show what thoughtful AI practice looks like with real learners, including the changes you made and why.
- Three planned, reviewed and taught lessons
- One assessment and remediation cycle
- Annotated drafts showing your review
- 04
Reflection and review
Discuss your portfolio with a mentor or colleague and reflect on the impact on your teaching and your learners.
- A reflective conversation
- Portfolio review against the criteria
- Next steps for your practice
Six things a certified teacher can show.
Each competency describes what good practice looks like and the kind of evidence you might include in your portfolio.
Plans with context
What it looks like
Writes prompts that include learners, curriculum, a checkable objective and the format needed.
Evidence you might include
Prompts and the lesson plans they produced.
Reviews critically
What it looks like
Checks drafts for accuracy, curriculum fit and suitability, and makes clear, reasoned changes.
Evidence you might include
Annotated drafts showing what you kept, changed and removed.
Uses learning evidence
What it looks like
Connects assessment results to misconceptions and plans focused remediation.
Evidence you might include
An assessment, grouped responses and the remediation you planned.
Protects learners
What it looks like
Keeps identifying information out of prompts and follows school policy on AI use.
Evidence you might include
A prompt audit and a note on how you explain AI use to families.
Reflects and shares
What it looks like
Reviews what worked in the classroom and shares practice with colleagues.
Evidence you might include
A reflection on taught lessons and one idea shared with your team.
What reviewers look for.
Your portfolio is discussed against four criteria. To be certified, each should be at least secure. Feedback explains how to strengthen anything that is still developing.
| Criterion | Developing | Secure | Leading |
|---|---|---|---|
| Context in prompts | Includes topic and grade; objective or format is vague. | Includes learners, curriculum, a checkable objective and format. | Adapts context for different groups and grounds drafts in chosen sources. |
| Quality of review | Corrects obvious errors; few changes explained. | Checks accuracy, fit and suitability with clear reasons for changes. | Anticipates failure patterns and helps colleagues review efficiently. |
| Use of evidence | Uses assessment to record scores. | Groups responses by misconception and plans a focused next step. | Checks again after remediation and adjusts future planning. |
| Responsible practice | Aware of school policy. | Consistently protects learner information and explains AI use openly. | Contributes to shared expectations for responsible use. |
FOR SCHOOL COHORTS
Certify a group of teachers together.
A cohort gives teachers colleagues to compare drafts with, a shared language for review and a leader who can make time for practice. It also builds the shared expectations a school needs for responsible AI use.
AI leadership for schools- 01
Choose the cohort
Select teachers across subjects or focus on one department. Identify a mentor for each group.
- 02
Plan around your calendar
Agree session timing, classroom tasks and portfolio deadlines that fit your term.
- 03
Support between sessions
Leaders protect time to practise and discuss. Mentors hold short reflective conversations.
- 04
Celebrate and share
Certified teachers share practice with colleagues and help shape your school’s AI expectations.
A quick self-check.
The programme asks you to teach, review and reflect over several weeks. Check what is in place before you enquire.
0/5
A good place to start is AI foundations. You can join the programme when the rest is in place.
Your answers stay on this page and are not saved.A few things
you might be wondering.
Is the certification accredited?
No. The Spark Academy teacher AI certification is issued by SparkSchool AI to recognise completed learning and a reviewed classroom portfolio. It is not a government, board or university qualification, and it does not replace any licensing requirement.
How long does the programme take?
It depends on the cohort. Because the portfolio asks you to plan, teach and reflect on real lessons, the programme runs across several weeks rather than a single day. The team will confirm the schedule before you enrol.
What does it cost?
Fees depend on whether you join as an individual or as part of a school cohort, and on the delivery format. We share current details when you contact us rather than publishing a price that may not apply to you.
Do I need to use SparkSchool?
The practice tasks are designed around SparkSchool workflows, and the team will confirm what access your cohort needs. The competencies themselves describe good practice with any approved AI tool.
What if my portfolio is not ready at the review?
The review is designed to support your development. If a criterion is not yet secure, you receive feedback on what to strengthen and how to resubmit that part of your portfolio.
Can student work be included in my portfolio?
Only anonymised examples, and only where your school’s policy allows it. Remove names and any identifying details before sharing.
Can a school enrol a group of teachers?
Yes. A school cohort can include shared sessions, subject-based discussion and a leader who supports teachers between sessions. Leaders can prepare with the AI leadership for schools topic.
Your practice is worth
recognising.
Tell us whether you are joining as an individual or a school, and we will share current programme details, schedule and fees.