Is Running Paper safe for UK schools?

AI Prefect rates Running Paper Green for staff use (Processor, no training on inputs, UK/EU storage or stated transfer safeguards, school DPA available) and Amber for pupil use (Minimum age not stated). This is based on the supplier's published documents, last checked 2026-11-01. It is not legal advice; complete your own DPIA.

Does Running Paper train on our data?

According to the supplier's published documents: no - "We don't train any large language models on student data" (FAQ).

Where is Running Paper data stored?

core infrastructure and stored student work in the United Kingdom; some processing in the EEA under UK adequacy regulations; limited marking data processed in the US by AI providers under the UK-US Data Bridge or EU SCCs with the UK Addendum (FAQ).

What age is Running Paper for?

Not stated. The supplier does not publish a minimum age we could find.

Is there a safer alternative to Running Paper?

We have not yet found a better-rated tool with the same main use. Our tool page lists what to look for instead.

Running Paper

Running Paper Limited (UK, company 14874659; ICO ZB706592) · AI marking of handwritten work · Last checked 2026-11-01

For teachers

Running Paper could save around 15–25 minutes on a first pass of comments on a set of written answers. You still read them and change anything you do not agree with before it counts. Moderate a sample by hand so you know where the tool tends to be generous or harsh.

Illustration, not a measured result. The minutes are a typical classroom estimate based on what this tool is for. They are not a guarantee, not data from a school, and not part of the red, amber or green rating.

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Rating: a rules-based summary of the supplier’s published terms. Not legal advice and not a substitute for a DPIA. How it’s worked out

Staff: GREEN Lower risk: fine to use with normal checks

Why green:

Processor, no training on inputs, UK/EU storage or stated transfer safeguards, school DPA available

Pupils: AMBER Use with caution

Why amber:

Minimum age not stated

How is this rated?

Key facts

Trains on what you type: No
Where data is stored: Mixed
Minimum age: Not stated
Use case: AI essay and work marking
Sector: Schools
Research status: Sourced

Safer alternatives

Same main use (AI essay and work marking) and sector, rated better for the same audience. Alternatives are suggested from our published ratings; check they meet your needs. How alternatives are chosen

For pupil use

No better-rated alternative found yet: here’s what to look for.

It acts as a processor for your school (not a controller)
It doesn’t train its AI on what you type
Data stays in the UK/EU, or transfer safeguards (standard contractual clauses, the UK IDTA or adequacy) are stated
There is a data processing agreement (DPA) for schools
The minimum age fits your pupils, or pupils use it through a school account

We’ve logged this gap and will research tools for it in our weekly update.

New here? Each field has a short explanation underneath. Our getting started guide explains what to look for and what to do next.

About the tool

SupplierThe company that makes and runs the tool.: Running Paper Limited (UK, company 14874659; ICO ZB706592)
WebsiteWhere we found the main information about the tool.: https://www.runningpaper.co.uk/ (opens in a new tab)
CategoryWhat sort of tool it is, for example a chatbot or a lesson-planning helper.: AI marking of handwritten work
Pupil-facingWhether pupils use it directly, or only staff. Pupil use needs extra care.: teacher-facing; pupils sit printed papers by hand; teachers send reviewed feedback to pupils or parents

Your data

Processor or controllerA processor only uses data on your school’s instructions. A controller makes its own decisions about the data, which means your school has less say.: processor (school, college or trust is controller; privacy policy and FAQ)
Where data is storedWhich country the data is stored in. UK or EU storage is usually simpler for schools.: core infrastructure and stored student work in the United Kingdom; some processing in the EEA under UK adequacy regulations; limited marking data processed in the US by AI providers under the UK-US Data Bridge or EU SCCs with the UK Addendum (FAQ)
Trains AI models on inputsWhether what you type (or upload) may be used to improve the supplier’s AI. “No” is what you want for anything about pupils or staff.: no - "We don't train any large language models on student data" (FAQ)
How long inputs are keptHow long the supplier keeps what you type before deleting it.: not stated publicly - set by the school's DPA (available on request)

Agreements and contacts

Privacy noticeThe supplier’s privacy notice: their own explanation of what they do with personal data.: https://www.runningpaper.co.uk/privacy (opens in a new tab)
Data processing agreement (DPA)The data processing agreement: the contract that sets out how the supplier must look after your school’s data.: not stated
Signs individual DPAs with schoolsWhether the supplier will sign a data agreement with your school specifically, rather than just standard online terms.: yes - Data Processing Agreement forms part of each customer agreement; DPA, sub-processor list and security policy available on request before signing
UK GDPR representative / DPOWhether the supplier names a data protection officer or UK representative you can contact about data questions.: not stated (contact info@runningpaper.co.uk)

Age and safety

Minimum ageThe youngest age the supplier allows to use the tool. Check this before any pupil uses it.: not stated
Key safety noteAnything else worth knowing, such as admin controls or content filtering.: teacher reviews every mark before release; Cyber Essentials; not linked to any exam board, so not for real GCSE/A level grades
Research statusHow complete our research on this tool is.: sourced (FAQ, privacy policy and terms dated 20 Oct 2026 read 26 Oct 2026; DPA not public)

Sources

runningpaper.co.ukhttps://www.runningpaper.co.uk/faq (opens in a new tab)
runningpaper.co.ukhttps://www.runningpaper.co.uk/privacy (opens in a new tab)
runningpaper.co.ukhttps://www.runningpaper.co.uk/terms (opens in a new tab)

Change history

No changes recorded since this entry was first published.

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Quick answers

Is Running Paper safe for UK schools?: AI Prefect rates Running Paper Green for staff use (Processor, no training on inputs, UK/EU storage or stated transfer safeguards, school DPA available) and Amber for pupil use (Minimum age not stated). This is based on the supplier's published documents, last checked 2026-11-01. It is not legal advice; complete your own DPIA.
Does Running Paper train on our data?: According to the supplier's published documents: no - "We don't train any large language models on student data" (FAQ).
Where is Running Paper data stored?: core infrastructure and stored student work in the United Kingdom; some processing in the EEA under UK adequacy regulations; limited marking data processed in the US by AI providers under the UK-US Data Bridge or EU SCCs with the UK Addendum (FAQ).
What age is Running Paper for?: Not stated. The supplier does not publish a minimum age we could find.
Is there a safer alternative to Running Paper?: We have not yet found a better-rated tool with the same main use. Our tool page lists what to look for instead.

Generated only from the recorded facts on this page, not from the “For teachers” illustration. “Not stated” means the supplier doesn’t publish it.

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