Filey Academy has become the first in Delta to introduce an AV1 robot to support a student.

The AV1 robot, developed by No Isolation, is a small telepresence avatar designed for children and young people with long-term illnesses, disabilities, or mental health conditions that prevent them from attending school. It has been supplied by North Yorkshire Council to allow Year 7’s Archie to access education and help him stay in contact with friends whilst undergoing treatment for cancer.

Teachers successfully tested the robot in a variety of classrooms and settings for when Archie felt ready to resume his learning in between his treatments. The robot acts as a physical presence in the classroom, enabling Archie to be part of lessons and to ask questions through it remotely.

The AV1 robot with Year 7 students Sonny, Archie and Ava.

The academy has been working with North Yorkshire Council’s Medical Education Service and Leeds Children’s Hospital at Leeds General Infirmary to ensure that Archie has a rounded offer during
the time that he is away from school. Academy and Trust colleagues met with Archie and his family to create a bespoke learning package to suit him as he undergoes treatment.

Archie began joining lessons via the robot at the beginning of March. The Academy and Trust continue to wish him all the best as he recovers from an operation.