Dr Connor
The Critical Thinking AI TutorStudents are already using AI for homework. Give them AI that helps them think.
Dr Connor is an AI tutor that encourages reasoning instead of giving answers.
Developed with UK schools and researched in partnership with the University of Birmingham.
The AI homework problem
80% of students used AI for homework in 2025.
Teachers told us they are now spending increasing time trying to determine whether work is genuinely the student’s own.
Dr Connor changes the question. When AI is used to guide thinking rather than generate answers, the focus returns to learning.
A practical start
A practical first step into responsible AI use.
Schools do not need to jump straight into complex AI platforms. The first step is understanding how students are already using AI — and providing a responsible alternative.
Teachers told us they do not want another tool that adds steps. Dr Connor is designed to support homework thinking without adding work for staff.
- Recommend a structured AI tutor for homework
- Understand how students engage with it
- Begin building an informed AI strategy
Students are already using AI, but very few clearly understand what acceptable use looks like in their school. Dr Connor helps schools begin defining that boundary.
How it works
Questions first, not answers.
Generic AI tools usually provide an answer immediately. Dr Connor responds with structured questions that guide students to develop their own understanding.
- Guides with structured questions
- Prompts justification and reasoning
- Designed to reduce copying and encourage learning
| Generic AI | Dr Connor |
|---|---|
| Provides answers immediately | Responds with guided questions |
| Optimised for helpful responses | Optimised to enhance critical thinking |
| Can generate ready-to-submit work | Designed to discourage copying |
| No school context | Built for homework use in schools |
| Short, transactional sessions | Sustained, guided conversations |
| Requires teachers to check work | Makes student thinking visible |
| No visibility for educators | Schools receive a usage summary |
Research
Does guided AI develop stronger critical thinking?
The study compares three groups of students: those using no AI, generic AI, and Dr Connor, measuring how much students refine and improve their work.
* Preliminary findings. Full research will be published in Summer 2026.
Safeguarding
Designed with safeguarding and compliance in mind.
- GDPR-aligned data handling
- Safeguarding flagging
- Minimal data collection
- Role-based access
Pilot
Sixth Form AI Homework Pilot.
Schools can recommend Dr Connor to sixth form students as a structured AI tutor for homework. No classroom integration required.
What the school does
- 1.Nominate a contact
- 2.Share a short message with sixth form students
- 3.Review a summary in September
What you get
- A structured alternative to generic AI
- A practical first step towards an AI strategy
- Support for independent study
No IT integration required. No procurement process.
No obligation after the pilot.
Pricing
Free for schools during the pilot.
The pilot programme is currently free for schools. We have research credits available to extend access to a limited number of additional schools while the study continues. There is no obligation to continue afterwards.
Want something you can forward internally?
Use the form and we’ll send a short summary and the pilot details.
No marketing lists. One reply.