{"id":65778,"date":"2025-03-26T08:13:46","date_gmt":"2025-03-26T08:13:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/?p=65778"},"modified":"2025-03-26T08:13:49","modified_gmt":"2025-03-26T08:13:49","slug":"devon-schools-trial-use-of-robots-to-support-pupils-struggling-to-attend-lessons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/devon-schools-trial-use-of-robots-to-support-pupils-struggling-to-attend-lessons\/","title":{"rendered":"Devon schools trial use of robots to support pupils struggling to attend lessons\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We\u2019ve launched a pilot project using robots to help us understand how best to support young people who struggle to attend school because of feelings of worry, anxiety and overwhelm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of our commitment to think beyond barriers to support the aspirations of children and young people, we\u2019ve invested in 16 AV1 robots to help pupils who don\u2019t feel able to be physically present in the classroom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The robots are small and easy to use. They\u2019re equipped with a camera, microphone, and speaker so that pupils can see and hear what\u2019s going in the lesson, and if they want to, join in activities, and interact with their class in real time from a remote location elsewhere on the school site or at home.\u202f  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pilot is taking place with sixteen pupils across five secondary school in Devon, and the initial response has been positive. An evaluation of the pilot will consider the views and experiences of young people, parent carers, school staff and colleagues, and based on that there may be opportunities for schools across Devon to use AV1s as part of their graduated response to supporting children and young people who are struggling to attend school. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Kellie Knott, Devon County Council\u2019s SEND Strategic Director, said:<\/strong>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFeeling included, supported and involved is important for our wellbeing as it helps us to connect with others, which builds a sense of belonging and self-worth.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut for some young people, feeling worried, anxious or overwhelmed can lead to difficulties in attending school or lessons, and so feeling disconnected can become a difficult hurdle to overcome.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve made a commitment to ensure that every child in Devon has the tools and support they need to succeed, regardless of their circumstances, and these robots are a groundbreaking move towards understanding how we can improve inclusivity in our schools.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis technology helps break down barriers of isolation for pupils who are unable to be physically present in the classroom, creating a bridge that connects them to their school community in a way that means they can still interact, contribute if they want to, and feel part of it all. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe hope that this pilot project will help the young people taking part to increase their engagement and attendance at school, little by little, in a way that feels safe and manageable for them.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

AV1s are made by a company called \u2018No Isolation\u2019. They have produced\u202flots of films about AV1s<\/a>\u202fwhich are available on Vimeo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can find out more about Emotional Based School Avoidance (EBSA), including why some children find it hard to go to school, and the support that is available, on the Devon SEND Local Offer website.<\/a>  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":65779,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[7,2175,2214],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-65778","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-children-families-and-education","category-send-category","category-send-news"],"acf":[],"featured_image":{"ID":65779,"title":"AV1 robot in classroom","alt":"AV1 robot in classroom","description":"","caption":"Image credit: 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