Filtering and monitoring has been a KCSIE requirement for years, but AI has changed what it needs to cover. Here is a summary of the duties, the DfE standards, and how to bring AI into your annual review.
The duty in brief
KCSIE requires governing bodies and proprietors to make sure their school has appropriate filtering and monitoring in place, and that its effectiveness is reviewed. The DSL takes lead responsibility for understanding the filtering and monitoring systems, working with IT staff and service providers.
The DfE filtering and monitoring standards
The DfE's standards set out what schools should do. In summary, schools should:
- Identify and assign roles and responsibilities for managing filtering and monitoring.
- Review their provision at least once every academic year.
- Block harmful and inappropriate content without unreasonably affecting teaching and learning.
- Have effective monitoring strategies that meet their safeguarding needs.
Where AI fits
Since KCSIE 2025, the guidance has linked to the DfE's generative AI product safety expectations under filtering and monitoring — see our KCSIE and AI timeline. In practice, your annual review should now ask:
- Which AI tools can pupils reach on school devices and networks?
- Which are blocked, and is that a deliberate decision?
- Do approved AI tools filter content, keep logs and flag concerns?
- Can monitoring see concerning use of AI, such as searches about self-harm or attempts to create inappropriate images?
- How are pupils bypassing filters — VPNs, proxy sites, "unblocked AI" sites? See preventing pupils bypassing filters for AI.
Want a straight answer for your school?
Ask me anything about AI in your school — policy, tools, training or safeguarding. I reply personally, usually the same day.
AI-specific risks to cover
- AI image generation and deepfakes — see what DSLs need to know about deepfakes.
- Companion chatbots — see risks of AI companion chatbots.
- AI features inside other apps — search engines, social media and learning platforms increasingly include AI.
A simple annual review checklist
- Confirm who is responsible — DSL, IT lead, governor.
- List AI tools that are allowed, blocked and in use.
- Test: try accessing common AI tools and "unblocked" variants from pupil devices.
- Check monitoring alerts cover AI-related concerns.
- Record the review and actions, and report to governors.
For how IT teams make those decisions, see how school IT admins control AI tools.
Roles at a glance
| Role | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Governing body | Ensure appropriate filtering and monitoring is in place and reviewed |
| DSL | Lead responsibility for understanding and overseeing filtering and monitoring |
| Senior leadership | Resourcing, decisions and staff awareness |
| IT provider | Technical configuration, testing and reporting |
| All staff | Report concerns and follow the acceptable use policy |
Balancing safety and learning
The standards ask schools to block harmful content without unreasonably affecting teaching and learning. For AI, that usually means approving a small number of protected tools for staff — and, where appropriate, for older pupils — rather than blocking everything. Over-blocking pushes use onto personal devices, where the school has no visibility at all.
Frequently asked questions
What does KCSIE say about filtering and monitoring?
Governing bodies must ensure appropriate filtering and monitoring and that its effectiveness is reviewed. The DSL takes lead responsibility, working with IT.
How often should filtering and monitoring be reviewed?
The DfE standards say at least once every academic year.
Does filtering and monitoring cover AI?
Yes. KCSIE links to the DfE's generative AI product safety expectations under filtering and monitoring, so AI tools should be part of the review.
What are the DfE filtering and monitoring standards?
Assign roles, review at least annually, block harmful content without unreasonably affecting learning, and have effective monitoring strategies.
How do pupils bypass school filters for AI?
Common methods include VPNs, proxy sites and "unblocked" AI sites. Test for these during your review.