In Wirral, robots are being used to support children struggling with school attendance by helping them express their emotions and reconnect with the classroom.
The robots, which feature a microphone, emoji expressions, and lights, allow pupils to share their feelings and engage remotely with school. Used in a recent local pilot program, the robots have already improved attendance by 21%, according to the Wirral Borough Council.
Councillor Stephen Bennett acknowledged that while the concept may "sound far-fetched or futuristic," these robots have shown "a significant real-life impact." Currently, 12 AV1 robots are available to assist children dealing with emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA) in Wirral.
“This initiative, managed by the Local Area SEND Partnership Board, is a crucial project to support children with additional needs in attending school and succeeding in their education,” said Bennett.
EBSA refers to children who face severe challenges attending school due to emotional difficulties. The AV1 device, which students bring to school, provides a one-way live stream and allows them to communicate through a microphone, creating a low-pressure way to gradually reintegrate.
The initial pilot, running from April to July in seven Wirral schools, saw students' official attendance scores rise by an average of 21% and hours of lesson engagement by 42%. A representative from a participating secondary school commented, “The student has enjoyed the experience and there's real potential for building confidence and connections in learning.”
The council noted that AV1 will serve as a short-term support tool to help students ease back into regular school attendance. EBSA training is also being offered to staff at all schools in the borough, with 84% of Wirral schools participating.
Wirral is the first authority in Merseyside to formally adopt the AV1 robots as part of its support system for young students.