The London Borough of Bexley has deployed a fleet of 10 AV1 telepresence robots to ensure children facing long-term illness or mental health challenges remain connected to their education. These devices act as a physical proxy in the classroom for students who are medically unable to attend school in person.
📌 Key Highlights
* Quantity: 10 AV1 telepresence units procured for borough-wide use.
* Target Group: Students with medical needs, chronic illness, or severe anxiety.
* Functionality: Real-time audio and visual stream controlled via a mobile app.
* Strategic Goal: Integration with the Schools White Paper and Local Area SEND Reforms.
Remote classroom participation via AV1 technology
The AV1 robots allow students to maintain a presence in the classroom from a home or hospital setting. Through a dedicated application, a child controls the robot’s movements, allowing them to see the whiteboard, hear the teacher, and interact with their peers.
The hardware includes features for non-verbal communication, such as a virtual hand-raising function and the ability to change the robot’s eye expressions to signal mood or engagement. This level of interaction is designed to mitigate the sense of isolation often experienced by pupils during extended absences.
Integration with Bexley SEND and psychology services
Originally commissioned under the Safety Valve programme, the initiative has now been absorbed into the broader local inclusion strategy. The robots are not intended as a permanent replacement for school attendance but as a transitional tool to facilitate an eventual physical return to the classroom.
| Feature | Implementation Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary Funding | Safety Valve Programme |
| Support Services | Inclusion and Educational Psychology |
| Core Objectives | Attendance, achievement, and peer belonging |
| Deployment | Schools across the London Borough of Bexley |
The use of AV1 Telepresence Robots for Remote Learning works alongside existing Educational Psychology services. By providing a consistent link to the school environment, the borough aims to prevent the escalation of complex needs and ensure that academic attainment does not suffer during periods of medical crisis. The initiative focuses on maintaining the social fabric of the student’s life, ensuring they remain part of class discussions and peer groups while recovering.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly are the AV1 telepresence robots being used in Bexley schools?
The AV1 is a specialized ‘physical proxy’ device designed by No Isolation. In Bexley, these 10 robots act as the eyes, ears, and voice for students who are medically unable to attend class due to long-term illness, chronic conditions, or severe mental health challenges like school-refusal anxiety. Managed via a secure app on a tablet or smartphone, the robot sits on the student’s desk, allowing them to stream lessons in real-time and participate in classroom life without being physically present.
How can a student in Bexley access or apply for a telepresence robot?
Access to the AV1 fleet is managed through Bexley’s Inclusion and Educational Psychology services. If your child is facing an extended medical absence, you should:
1. Contact your school’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) to discuss eligibility.
2. Ensure there is a documented medical or mental health need that prevents physical attendance.
3. The school will then liaise with the local authority to request a device from the borough-wide fleet as part of the Safety Valve programme.
Will using a robot help a child stay socially connected to their classmates?
Yes, this is a core goal of the initiative. Unlike standard video calls, the AV1 allows for non-verbal communication; students can change the robot’s eye expressions to show they are happy or confused and use a ‘whisper mode’ to talk to desk-mates. This maintains ‘peer belonging,’ ensuring that when the student is finally well enough to return, they haven’t lost their social standing or the routine of the school day.
What is the long-term plan for this technology in Bexley schools?
The current deployment of 10 units is a strategic step aligned with the Schools White Paper and Local Area SEND Reforms. Bexley aims to use these robots as a ‘transitional bridge’ to facilitate a full return to school. Residents should monitor the Bexley Local Offer portal and beehiveweb.co.uk for updates on whether the programme will expand beyond the initial 10 units based on student achievement data and attendance improvements.
Source: London Borough of Bexley
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