Classroom robots to support absent children

The robots sit on the desktop and allow students to take part in lessons remotely

Robots are to be placed in classrooms in parts of West Yorkshire to help pupils who struggle to attend school feel more included.

The devices are small enough to sit on a desk and will be used to help pupils in Wakefield to take part in lessons from home.

The so-called AV1 robots contain a camera and microphone which connects absent pupils who can speak, see and hear lessons through the device using an app.

Wakefield Council plans to use 27 machines as part of a pilot project to support children who have health needs or are off school due to anxiety or emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA).

The robots were developed by technology company No Isolation for children who are unable to attend school through long-term illness.

According to a report, more than 1,600 AV1 devices are now being used to help pupils in other areas of the UK stay connected to their education and friends.

Details of the scheme were discussed at a meeting of the council's children and young people scrutiny committee.

Jacqui Dundas, the council's head of inclusion, strategy and performance, said: "If you've broken your leg and can't get to school, this robot will sit in your classroom with your peers and you will be able to communicate with the robot.

Wakefield Council plans to use 27 of the devices as part of a pilot project

"The teacher can ask you questions and you can also answer as well, so it's very interactive."

She said schools were "very nervous" around safeguarding issues but that the device had security measures in place and could not record anything.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), committee member Debbie Kahler said. "It does raise serious concerns for me, especially for safeguarding, because you don't know who is behind the screen.

"We have moved into this era of AI and we have no legislation in place for it, no policy in place for it and we are moving forward with it.

Nathan Heath, service director for education and inclusion, said any issues would be addressed during the pilot period.

"This gives us an opportunity to focus it on a very specific cohort of children.

"There are very clear parameters around that. We have done a lot of work to ensure safeguarding is paramount."

No Inclusion said the robot meant children could be involved in "all aspects of school life".

"The physical presence means the student is not forgotten, even on days when they are too unwell to log on."

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