Claire Archibald

Legal Director, Browne Jacobson

Claire specialises in data protection, AI, information governance, and freedom of information for education clients at Browne Jacobson LLP. Her extensive experience leading a data protection officer service as well as experience working as a school business manager and as a local academy board governor equips her with a profound understanding of school challenges. Claire received the European Picasso 'Champion' Award for her ability to support and promote a positive information governance culture within schools, and the important work done by school staff to protect children's personal data. Claire is also a co-author of the IRMS Records Management Toolkit for Schools and Academies and is known for her effective public speaking and advocacy for data protection importance in education. Additionally, Claire's expertise extends to AI governance and edtech. This experience and knowledge makes her an invaluable resource for educational institutions.

School Improvement

1 Breakout sessions: Series two

AI-generated complaints: what they're really telling you

When parents use AI to raise a complaint, the technology isn't the issue. The breakdown in the home-school relationship is. This session reframes both the problem and the response and will seek to understand the significant increase in complaints, including from parents of children with SEND, and the possible pathways available to trusts. Drawing on the latest school leaders survey findings, Claire and Victoria will cover how to handle AI-drafted complaints on their merits, what proactive steps cut the risk of formal complaints, and how to build AI literacy across your staff team.

Being curious but cautious (AI and new technologies)

1 Workshop series two

What does good look like? AI procurement, data protection and supplier assurance round table

Room: Connect

From data protection to the DfE’s generative AI product safety standards, expectations on trusts when procuring digital tools are increasingly complex and consequential. Yet many still lack clear frameworks to assess vendors and scrutinise claims. This round table brings together the ICO, a school trust, an established edtech provider, and legal expertise to explore the practical realities of procuring digital tools with confidence. Together we will explore the practical questions to ask suppliers and build greater confidence in evaluating digital products and a clearer understanding of how to balance innovation with effective risk management. This round table has a maximum capacity of 20 participants.

1 Workshops series one

AI Governance: From postmortem to practice - three things every governance professional should lead on now

Today we are asking what we do to shift from theory to practice, particularly in light of policy changes and the advent of AI. In this interactive session, we revisit the cautionary tale of Mackenzie Education Trust and go further: translating the lessons into three concrete actions every governance professional should be taking right now. Because an AI policy alone is not enough - effective AI governance demands culture, process, and people. Governance leads will leave this session empowered to show the way.