Is Writer's Toolbox safe for UK schools?

AI Prefect rates Writer's Toolbox Amber for staff use (Doesn’t say whether it trains on what you type; Doesn’t say if it is a processor or controller; Data may be stored outside the UK/EU; safeguards not stated; No school DPA found; 3 of 6 key fields not stated) and Amber for pupil use (Doesn’t say whether it trains on what you type; Doesn’t say if it is a processor or controller; Data may be stored outside the UK/EU; safeguards not stated; No school DPA found; 3 of 6 key fields not stated; Minimum age under-13 only with school-obtained parental consent: not for younger pupils; check consent). This is based on the supplier's published documents, last checked 2026-10-22. It is not legal advice; complete your own DPIA.

Does Writer's Toolbox train on our data?

Not stated. We could not find a published statement from the supplier on whether Writer's Toolbox trains its AI on what users type.

Where is Writer's Toolbox data stored?

AWS Sydney; Anthropic (OCR), OpenAI (diagnostics).

What age is Writer's Toolbox for?

under-13 only with school-obtained parental consent.

Is there a safer alternative to Writer's Toolbox?

Better-rated tools with the same main use and sector: FeedbackFruits (Acai AI) (amber), Class Companion (amber), Mote (amber).

Writer's Toolbox

Writer's Toolbox (NZ) · writing (pupil) · Last checked 2026-10-22

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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 and pupils: AMBER Use with caution

Why amber:

Doesn’t say whether it trains on what you type
Doesn’t say if it is a processor or controller
Data may be stored outside the UK/EU; safeguards not stated
No school DPA found
3 of 6 key fields not stated

How is this rated?

Key facts

Trains on what you type: Not stated
Where data is stored: Other / unclear
Minimum age: 13–17
Use case: Writing feedback for pupils
Sector: Schools, Further education (FE), Higher education (HE)
Research status: Sourced

Safer alternatives

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

Staff and pupils

FeedbackFruits (Acai AI) · Amber
2 caution points (this tool: 5): Data may be stored outside the UK/EU; safeguards not stated
Class Companion · Amber
4 caution points (this tool: 5): Doesn’t say if it is a processor or controller
Mote · Amber
4 caution points (this tool: 5): Doesn’t say if it is a processor or controller

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.: Writer's Toolbox (NZ)
WebsiteWhere we found the main information about the tool.: https://writerstoolbox.com
CategoryWhat sort of tool it is, for example a chatbot or a lesson-planning helper.: writing (pupil)
Pupil-facingWhether pupils use it directly, or only staff. Pupil use needs extra care.: yes

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.: not stated
Where data is storedWhich country the data is stored in. UK or EU storage is usually simpler for schools.: AWS Sydney; Anthropic (OCR), OpenAI (diagnostics)
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.: not stated
How long inputs are keptHow long the supplier keeps what you type before deleting it.: up to 3 years after you stop using

Agreements and contacts

Privacy noticeThe supplier’s privacy notice: their own explanation of what they do with personal data.: https://writerstoolbox.com/privacy-policy/
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.: not stated
UK GDPR representative / DPOWhether the supplier names a data protection officer or UK representative you can contact about data questions.: not stated

Age and safety

Minimum ageThe youngest age the supplier allows to use the tool. Check this before any pupil uses it.: under-13 only with school-obtained parental consent
Key safety noteAnything else worth knowing, such as admin controls or content filtering.: not stated
Research statusHow complete our research on this tool is.: sourced

Sources

writerstoolbox.comhttps://writerstoolbox.com/privacy-policy/

Change history

No changes recorded since this entry was first published.

See all recent changes

Quick answers

Is Writer's Toolbox safe for UK schools?: AI Prefect rates Writer's Toolbox Amber for staff use (Doesn’t say whether it trains on what you type; Doesn’t say if it is a processor or controller; Data may be stored outside the UK/EU; safeguards not stated; No school DPA found; 3 of 6 key fields not stated) and Amber for pupil use (Doesn’t say whether it trains on what you type; Doesn’t say if it is a processor or controller; Data may be stored outside the UK/EU; safeguards not stated; No school DPA found; 3 of 6 key fields not stated; Minimum age under-13 only with school-obtained parental consent: not for younger pupils; check consent). This is based on the supplier's published documents, last checked 2026-10-22. It is not legal advice; complete your own DPIA.
Does Writer's Toolbox train on our data?: Not stated. We could not find a published statement from the supplier on whether Writer's Toolbox trains its AI on what users type.
Where is Writer's Toolbox data stored?: AWS Sydney; Anthropic (OCR), OpenAI (diagnostics).
What age is Writer's Toolbox for?: under-13 only with school-obtained parental consent.
Is there a safer alternative to Writer's Toolbox?: Better-rated tools with the same main use and sector: FeedbackFruits (Acai AI) (amber), Class Companion (amber), Mote (amber).

Generated only from the facts above. “Not stated” means the supplier doesn’t publish it.

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