We Asked Teachers to Try AI Coaching. Here’s What They Told Us.
- Adam Sturdee
- Jul 28
- 2 min read
Over the past term, 81 teachers across four schools piloted Starlight — our AI-powered platform designed to support reflection, reduce workload, and surface insight from everyday lessons. Today, we’re proud to publish the results.
The findings are striking. Starlight was used to generate over 1,000 feedback reports from 469 lesson recordings, with 85% of teachers rating the feedback 4★ or 5★. But beyond the stats, what stood out most were the stories teachers shared:
“This really grasped what I was aiming for.”
“I can’t believe how clever it is — I have tons of ideas to work on.”
“It made me see the reality of how much I was talking.”
From science labs to drama studios, staff said Starlight helped them think more clearly about their teaching — not through performance scores or judgment, but through structured feedback that mirrored their own instincts.
We also learned a lot:
Teachers want to zoom in on specific goals in their feedback — and we’re simplifying template selection to support that.
Many felt Starlight made reflection quicker and less intimidating, especially compared to traditional observations.
Importantly, school leaders saw how the platform could scale coaching without sacrificing trust or quality.
And yes — we took data protection seriously. Starlight was piloted under a full DPIA, with GDPR safeguards, teacher control, and clear opt-out rights at every stage.
For us, this isn’t just a report. It’s a milestone. It shows that thoughtful, transparent use of AI can lift the culture of professional learning — and give teachers more of what they need: timely insight, without extra workload.
🛰️ Starlight is part of the STAR21 platform — designed to spark insight and engineer progress in schools.
📥 To read the full report or discuss piloting in your trust, get in touch via www.starlightmentor.com or email: info@starlightmentor.com
The Insight Engine is written by Adam Sturdee, co-founder of Starlight—the UK’s first AI-powered coaching platform—and Assistant Headteacher at St Augustine’s Catholic College. This blog is part of a wider mission to support educators through meaningful reflection, not performance metrics. It documents the journey of building Starlight from the ground up, and explores how AI, when shaped with care, can reduce workload, surface insight, and help teachers think more deeply about their practice. Rooted in the belief that growth should be private, professional, and purposeful, The Insight Engine offers ideas and stories that put insight—not judgment—at the centre of development.
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