Somerset County Council has invested £145,000 in the latest robot technology to help ensure absent pupils can continue to access education when not in the classroom.

There are 50 AV1 robots to support students who cannot be in school, whether because they are sick or overcoming physical or mental health challenges.

The robots are carried from lesson to lesson by a ‘buddy’ classmate. The student watches a secure livestream of their lessons on a tablet or phone – being able to ask questions, hear answers and move the robot’s head to look around the room.

This means they can carry on learning and, importantly, stay in touch with their friends and classmates while making the difficult journey back into the classroom.

Schools and colleges can request use of the robots to work alongside or instead of traditional home tutor support. Schools pay a rental fee that covers running costs with any surplus being reinvested in more of the robots.

Cllr Clare Paul, county cabinet member for education and wellbeing, said: “Every child deserves the chance to access their education, even they are unable to physically be in the classroom.

“It is wonderful to see how our investment in this technology is playing such an important role in our schools and colleges by helping students stay connected to their class, teacher, and friends.”

Harriet Gridley, director of the company that made the robots, No Isolation, said: “It is fantastic to see Somerset County Council taking a lead on inclusive education technology.

“By investing in 50 AV1 robots, Somerset County Council has paved the way for others to emulate their successful, self-sustaining model, and they exemplify how councils can reduce the negative effects of long-term absence.”

Nationally, there are an estimated 522,000 pupils who are frequently absent from school due to long-term illness. In Somerset, 35 children are referred for extra support for medical reasons every year.