Reimagining the School Day: The 2 Hour AI Learning Model in Angola
By Martin Nugent • 2025-02-01
Use technology to extend teacher impact while keeping human relationships at the centre.
Case Study • Reimagining the School Day: The 2 Hour AI Learning Model in Angola
In Luanda we reframed the school day. Mornings were dedicated to AI tutoring across English, Maths and Science. Afternoons focused on teacher led discussion, projects and consolidation. The aim was to personalise learning without replacing teachers.
We partnered with Toddle to configure adaptive activities aligned to the week's taught content. Teachers received training in reading the dashboards and adjusting plans. Infrastructure was checked, devices secured and routines rehearsed so pupils knew exactly how to start each session.
By week two, teachers reported higher engagement. One student who rarely contributed began volunteering answers after the AI tutor built her confidence in private practice. Staff described the model as freeing. They could focus on mentoring and creative tasks while the system handled targeted reinforcement.
The results were encouraging. Time on task increased and teachers reported planning and marking time savings. The model scaled to more year groups and gave leaders a transparent way to manage quality during recruitment shortages.
Why it works: UK guidance recognises that technology improves outcomes when it complements strong pedagogy and reduces workload. The project kept human relationships central and used AI as a lever, not a substitute.
Context
This work began with a clear problem of practice and a simple test: could we see visible change in classrooms within two weeks? We focused on routines that staff could implement reliably and we removed anything that did not serve teaching time.
What we changed
- Clear non‑negotiables: we set a small number of behaviours and rehearsed them with staff until they became ordinary.
- Coaching not courses: short cycles tied to live units, with leaders visiting briefly and often.
- Evidence we would actually use: pupil work, short pulses and calm pacing in lessons.
Human moments
There were small turning points that mattered. A parent at the gate who needed clarity more than language. A new colleague who practised the opening five minutes of a lesson twice with a mentor and walked in confident the next day. These moments turned strategy into culture.
Impact
- More consistent routines reduced lost learning time.
- Curriculum conversations became specific and useful.
- Pupil work showed clearer modelling and better independent practice.
Why this works
Approaches that combine clarity, coaching and aligned assessment are associated with stronger outcomes in UK and international settings. They help teachers do fewer things well and sustain improvement over time.
Lessons for leaders and investors
- Pilot the model with one cohort first, with clear success measures for progress, engagement and attendance.
- Define the adult role during the AI block as coaching, diagnostics and targeted intervention, not supervision.
- Invest in infrastructure and safeguarding: reliable connectivity, managed devices, filtering, consent and data protection.
- Budget for change management: timetable redesign, training, technical support and ongoing maintenance.
- Keep curriculum intent in charge: use AI for practice and feedback, alongside strong direct instruction and assessment.
Sources and further reading
Selected links to expand on the themes in this article.