A comment bank used to mean a spreadsheet of stock phrases that made every report sound the same. AI lets you do better: start from your own notes and get a personal report in your school's style. Here are twelve prompts to do exactly that.
Before you start: the ground rules
- Use a school-approved AI tool — ideally Copilot Chat or Gemini on your school account, or a tool your school has licensed.
- Use initials or "Pupil A" instead of full names, and add names back afterwards.
- Leave out special category data — health, SEND diagnoses, safeguarding information.
- Edit every report before it goes home.
For the wider picture, see AI report writing tools for primary teachers.
Set-up prompts
1. Teach the AI your style
"I am a Year 3 teacher in England writing end-of-year reports. Each report is about 120 words, warm but honest, in UK English, written to parents. It covers attitude to learning, reading, writing, maths and one next step. Here are two example reports in our house style: [paste anonymised examples]. Confirm you understand the style."
2. Build a phrase bank from your own examples
"From these anonymised reports, create a bank of varied phrases for strengths and next steps in reading, writing and maths, grouped by working towards, expected and greater depth. Avoid clichés."
Drafting prompts
3. From notes to report
"Write a report for Pupil A using these notes: [3–4 bullet points]. Keep to our style and about 120 words."
4. Batch drafting
"Here are notes for five pupils, labelled A to E. Write a report for each in our style, making sure no two reports open the same way."
5. The next step
"Turn this next step into one clear, positive sentence a parent could act on at home: [next step]."
6. Subject-only comments
"Write a two-sentence science comment for a pupil who [note], in UK English."
Want a straight answer for your school?
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Tone and quality prompts
7. Soften a hard message
"This pupil has struggled with [area]. Rewrite this paragraph so it is honest but encouraging, with a clear next step: [paragraph]."
8. Remove jargon
"Rewrite this report so a parent with no education background understands every sentence. Remove jargon like 'greater depth' unless explained."
9. Check for sameness
"Here are eight reports. List any phrases used more than twice and suggest alternatives."
10. Shorten
"Cut this report to 90 words without losing the next step or the personal detail."
Finishing prompts
11. Proofread
"Check this report for spelling, grammar and UK English. List changes rather than rewriting."
12. Parent-friendly translation
For families who speak English as an additional language, a translated summary can help — but check your school's approach first. See AI translation for EAL pupils and families.
How long this saves
Teachers using this approach typically spend their time on notes and editing rather than phrasing. For a class of 30, that is a meaningful saving — and the reports end up more personal, not less. For leaders thinking about workload across the school, see how to reduce teacher workload.
Frequently asked questions
Can AI write primary school reports?
AI can draft report comments from your notes in your school's style. The teacher provides the knowledge of the child and edits every report.
Is it safe to put pupil names into AI for reports?
Only in a school-approved tool covered by a data protection impact assessment. Using initials or labels and adding names afterwards is safer.
How do I stop AI reports sounding the same?
Start from individual notes, ask the AI to vary openings, and use a prompt that checks for repeated phrases.
Which AI tool should I use for report comments?
Copilot Chat or Gemini on your school account, or a tool like TeachMate that your school has licensed.
Should reports mention AI was used?
Your school should decide its approach. Many are open with parents that AI helps with wording while teachers write the substance.