Why Schools Are Choosing Starlight: Your Questions Answered

As AI tools begin to reshape professional development across education, school leaders naturally have questions — and rightly so. At STAR21, we’ve built Starlight to be transparent, teacher-led, and deeply grounded in classroom reality. In this post, we answer the most common questions schools are asking — and explain why more and more educators are choosing Starlight to support their teams.

Is the AI biased?

No. Starlight doesn’t judge teachers — it analyses transcripts using clear, research-informed indicators like questioning, vocabulary use, and student talk. Unlike human observers, it offers consistent feedback without unconscious bias or interpretation shaped by relationships or school politics.

How does the AI actually work?

Starlight uses natural language processing to analyse what’s said during a lesson. It generates personalised feedback based on known markers of effective teaching, and teachers can choose to receive narrative coaching, scores, or deep-dive insights.

Will this replace teachers, mentors, or observers?

Absolutely not. Starlight complements human coaching. It saves time and surfaces insights that mentors can build on. It’s a tool for professional growth — never for performance management.

Is there evidence that it works?

Yes. In early pilots, teachers reported making changes to their teaching the very next day. With over 400 lessons analysed and strong user ratings, we’re seeing real impact — and collecting testimonials and usage data as we grow.

Who’s using it?

Starlight began at St Augustine’s Catholic College, Trowbridge, and is now in use across a growing number of UK schools. We’re also working with a national training body and a UK university exploring its potential for teacher development and research.

Is the data secure and GDPR compliant?

Yes. All data is encrypted, stored in the UK/EU, and fully GDPR compliant. Teachers can delete audio recordings at any time, and we provide a full Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) on request.

Who owns the data?

Schools own their transcripts and audio files and these can be deleted at any time. We may retain anonymised transcripts to improve the platform and support research — but never in a way that identifies teachers, students, or schools.

Will Ofsted see the data?

No — unless the school chooses to share it. Starlight is private and developmental. Our SLT dashboard can provide insights that leaders may choose to reference during inspections, but this is entirely at the school’s discretion.

Will this add to teacher workload?

No. Uploading takes under a minute. Most teachers stay logged in and keep Starlight open as a tab throughout the day. The Teacher Toolkit saves time by turning lesson transcripts into ready-made resources, making the system not just time-neutral but time-saving.

Does it integrate with other systems?

Currently, Starlight is a standalone platform, but we’re developing integrations with Microsoft Teams, SSO, and MIS platforms. We’re building fast, based on feedback.

What onboarding is provided?

Teachers are typically confident after their first use. We provide a short onboarding video, a quick-start guide, and optional live briefings or demos for staff.

What support is available?

Responsive email support is available to all users, with named contacts for larger rollouts. We’re known for listening and acting quickly.

What does it cost?

Starlight is £10 per user per month. Schools committing to a second year get 11% off — £9 per user per month. Pricing is simple and transparent.

Is there a free trial?

Yes — through our Launch Pad Partner Programme, we offer a fully supported half-term trial for 5 teachers. We recommend choosing experienced, credible staff who are likely to be early adopters. We work closely with this group to prepare for a full rollout to all staff — because the real value of Starlight comes when everyone is involved.

What happens to data if we leave?

All audio recordings are deleted. Transcripts are retained only in anonymised form and never shared without clear communication or consent.

Do teachers feel judged?

No. Feedback is private and designed to support growth. Teachers describe Starlight as a reflective coach — not a critic — and we’ve had no backlash in our pilots.

Can we customise it to our framework?

Yes. Schools can create custom templates, tag priorities, and shape reflection areas. We’re also developing deeper customisation tools for leadership teams.

Is it just for observations?

Starlight supports coaching, CPD tracking, peer reviews, and — where appropriate — appraisals. But it’s always teacher-led and grounded in a culture of trust. It is up to the teacher what they choose to share.

Does it work across all subjects?

Yes. We’ve seen strong use in all subjects — including PE, Art, and Drama. In fact, our drama teachers were some of the first to be impressed. Teachers often start narrating their thinking more clearly, which improves both Starlight feedback and student learning.

How fast is the feedback?

Typically within 2–3 minutes of upload. It’s fast, private, and ready when the teacher is — no waiting for observation cycles.

Why choose Starlight over bigger players or existing CPD platforms?

Starlight is already live, built by educators, and shaped by real classroom feedback. Our size is a strength — we’re nimble, responsive, and able to make improvements fast. Bigger players may follow, but we’re already partnering with schools across the UK — listening, learning, and delivering value now.

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.