Supporting Successful Reintegration for a Pupil Out of School Through EHCP Funding in Gloucestershire

Discovering and Implementing AV1

Laura, a Year 4 Teacher at Highnam Primary School, had previously used AV1 during the DfE APIF Project back in 2018, and reached out to No Isolation to discuss the potential of using AV1 as both an immersive educational and social tool to help a pupil overcome some of their anxieties and build the students' confidence to return to school in a phased approach. Following a short demonstration with the SENDCo and Headteacher at the school, and the opportunity to try the robot themselves, they agreed that AV1 could be a useful tool to help the student connect with their learning and improve their sense of belonging. They worked with the pupil, parent and local authority to agree on a path forward.

What Changed

In January, at the beginning of using AV1 to support this pupil, Laura quotes, “We have been using AV1 most days. My pupil hasn't been able to speak using it yet, but is using the expressions and making AV1 nod in a form of communication. We are hoping to gain support for her at home to aid encouragement, or encourage her into school, in another part of the building. All small steps!! “

By March  

"My pupil has benefited hugely, so much so that she has now begun coming into the school site and spending some amount of time with her friends. Next week, we are planning on using AV1 with her in school in a smaller room with her friends”

April – May

“My pupil is now attending school 2-3 mornings a week, using AV1 to gain confidence when she arrives and then transitions into the classroom to join lessons with her friends.

Looking Ahead

Laura said "I would absolutely recommend AV1. It allows the pupil to continue to be part of their school community, but in a way that they are comfortable with. As confidence grows, the AV1’s many features can be used to their full extent. The AV1 is so versatile – we have taken it outside to Forest School, on school trips and school concerts. It is used in the classroom and in breakout areas throughout the school.

Other children and school staff have quickly adapted, the AV1 really is seen as the child in the room!"

Outcomes and Quotes

The pupil accessed over 100 sessions, totalling 50 hours of learning through AV1, maintaining consistent engagement with their education during their time away from school. The perspectives of the class teacher, headteacher, and the pupil’s parent are shared below.

"My pupil has benefited hugely.. so much so that she has now begun coming into the school site and spending some amount of time with her friends. Next week, we are planning on using AV1 with her in school in a smaller room with her friends. On her visit last week, her Parent told me none of this would have been possible without the AV1 and school working together ... she wouldn't have imagined this outcome." Laura Gilchrist - Year 4 Teacher - Highnam Primary School

"The AV1 robot has had a really positive impact, helping a pupil feel included in lessons and maintain connections with classmates. It has been instrumental in supporting a gradual and successful return to the classroom." Head Teacher at Highnam Primary School

"Our 9 year old daughter has been using the AV1 robot (nicknamed Bob) for around 6 months. As much as she loves learning, she had significant struggles with coping with the school environment which ultimately led to her being unable to attend. School have been incredibly supportive and one of the ideas to help her was Bob. Through Bob, she has been able to rejoin her classmates and lessons from home. Her classmates and teachers have been able to talk to her and she can communicate with them in a way she feels less anxious and more comfortable with. Over time, she has been confident enough to start spending small periods of time back in school and quite often, she'll use Bob in school if she doesn't feel quite able to be in the class.

After a long time struggling and not being in school, her confidence with social situations hit rock bottom. Having the opportunity to see her classmates and teachers 'virtually' has given her chance to build some confidence up gradually and help her to want to spend more time in school. Bob seems to fit in well with the other support school are providing and it's adaptable in that it can be used inside and outside of the classroom. It's all still a gradual process, but Bob has certainly been a big help in her social and emotional wellbeing. She would have found it more difficult to start spending time in school again had it not been for Bob." The Mum of the pupil using AV1

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