Technology in Schools Survey – 2025

The UK Department for Education Report “Technology in Schools Survey 2024 to 2025” (TiSS) published in Nov 2025 summarises what’s changed since 2022–23, against DfE’s ambition for all schools to meet six core digital/technology standards by 2030.

Key takeaways:

Strategy is common but uneven: 55% of schools have a digital strategy (70% secondary vs 52% primary). Teacher engagement in EdTech planning improved notably vs 2023 (e.g., clearer communication of digital strategy rose to 45% in primaries and 40% in secondaries).

Standards awareness and progress are up, but full compliance is low: IT leads’ awareness of standards rose (81% overall). Schools meeting all standards increased but remains around a fifth (leaders/IT leads report ~21% primaries, 18% secondaries). Some who say they meet all standards still lack specific requirements (e.g., backup broadband/UPS), suggesting “compliance gaps.”

Devices are available, but pupil use in lessons is still limited: Laptops are widely available; tablets increased in primaries. Yet most teachers say pupils use end-user devices in <25% of lessons (79% primary, 69% secondary).

Impact perceptions are positive: 61% of leaders and 43% of teachers say tech reduced workload; 67% of leaders and 53% of teachers say it improved attainment; expectations for future impact are even higher.

Cyber/security improving, but backups and know-how vary: More cyber training and some governance improvements, especially in primaries; only 47% of primaries meet recommended “2+ backups with 1 offsite” (vs 76% secondaries).

AI is emerging, policy-light: 44% of teachers use GenAI (mainly lesson planning). Only ~1/5 of schools have a formal AI policy; pupil restrictions are more common than teacher restrictions.