What Teachers Are Saying About Starlight

When we built Starlight, we wanted it to feel different. Not like an observation. Not like a checklist. But like a mirror held up with care.

We would like to thank all of our pilot users for their feedback - we are incredibly grateful! And we welcome all feedback - the good with the bad. Keep it coming please.

From early pilots to in-school trials, we’ve heard again and again how Starlight’s feedback is landing—with precision, empathy, and real usefulness.

"It was a much more pleasant way to receive feedback than I imagined... the summaries were phrased in a very appreciative way and ‘echoed’ back to me the things I was looking for."

"Really good at summarising and suggesting what to work on next, felt no judgement – that it was just for myself to use."

Feedback that Feels Like Insight

Unlike top-down observations, Starlight invites reflection rather than reaction. Its feedback lands quickly—often within minutes—and focuses on small, teachable moments that matter.

"I was very surprised at the level of interpretation the AI was able to apply – small, quirky details in a drama role play were placed within context and 'understood'."

"It describes exactly what happened during the lesson. It provided me a valuable feedback."

"I was pleasantly surprised by how aligned it was. It seemed to ‘understand’ the language of pedagogy rather than just parroting it."

Private, Personal, and Purposeful

Because the feedback is private, teachers engage with it differently. There’s no pressure to perform. Just insight, offered at the right moment, in the right tone.

"I prefer it to having a visitor to the lesson... I wasn't distracted by the arrival of an observer and was able to forget about the recording."

"Really useful and thought provoking. What I hadn't considered is how natural it is to NOT have an observer in the room, which often skews the atmosphere and makes students and teachers behave differently."

"It was very unobtrusive and feedback very quick to arrive."

From Reflection to Action

Starlight doesn’t just tell teachers what happened—it helps them think through what to do next.

"It allowed me to choose what would be helpful to move forward with... I particularly liked the evidence-based approach."

"Excellent feedback! The best part is that it offers content to help me improve in the areas where I need development."

"Suggestions for more focused and specialised essay technique sessions... were quite helpful – as a way of developing our DIRT time."

"Keeping an eye on the pace of delivery."

"This is helpful in terms of it's really positive and it has made me realise that I am doing a good job as a facilitator of P4C."

Sparked Ideas, Boosted Confidence

Great feedback doesn’t just correct. It uplifts. It inspires.

"I wanted to let you know that the feedback was phenomenal. I can't believe how clever it is and I have tons of ideas to consider now moving forward."

"Excellent detailed feedback. This is very useful actually and has also sparked some ideas of my own."

"Definitely serves its purpose."

"I'm really happy to be able to use Starlight Mentor—it's the best teaching tool ever!"

"This is something I've always dreamed about. Since I was a little boy... I would love to have a mirror where I will be able to see myself through other person's eyes. Amazing!"

"I am really enjoying the tool."

We’re so grateful to the teachers who are helping us shape Starlight. Their feedback doesn’t just affirm the tool—it helps us make it better for everyone. Thank you!

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 Starlight blog offers ideas and stories that put insight—not judgment—at the centre of development.