Jack Petchey Award Winner
Celebrating Phoebe a Jack Petchey Achievement Award Winner
CENMAC student Phoebe is an absolute superstar at Hall Mead in Havering. Living with CRPS and learning through her trusty AV1 robot, she’s shown a level of determination that inspires everyone around her. CENMAC Advisory Teacher Maureen De Longhi recently learned that Phoebe received a prestigious Jack Petchey Achievement Award — and honestly, it couldn’t be more deserved.
What Is the Jack Petchey Achievement Award?
The Jack Petchey Achievement Award Scheme is one of the flagship programmes of the Jack Petchey Foundation, created to celebrate young people who go above and beyond. It recognises effort, resilience, kindness, leadership, and personal triumph — not just academic success.
Operating across around 2,000 schools and youth organisations in London and Essex, the scheme honours roughly 12,000 young people every year.
Anyone aged 11–25 can be nominated by teachers, peers, or youth leaders for achievements such as overcoming challenges, contributing to their community, or showing exceptional commitment.
Winners receive a certificate and a medallion presented at a special celebration, and a £300 grant to spend on something that benefits their school or youth group.
It’s a programme built on the belief that every young person has the potential to achieve, and Phoebe is a wonderful example of that.
Student Phoebe holding her Jack Petchey Award medallion
Phoebe’s Story: Strength, Determination, and the Importance of Inclusion
For the past three years, Phoebe has been unable to attend school full‑time due to chronic pain caused by CRPS. When she entered Year 10 (a crucial year as GCSE studies begin), the pressure and stress naturally increased. School did their best to support her, but the reality of remote learning wasn’t easy.
Phoebe wanted to learn and she wanted to engage, but the tools available simply weren’t meeting her needs. Then came a turning point…
The AV1 Robot: A Game-Changer
Phoebe’s mum, who is a teacher herself, researched the idea of using an AV1 robot. The AV1 robot is a smart, portable remote‑learning device that connects to Phoebe’s own tablet so it can act as her eyes, ears, and voice in the classroom, letting her see the board, hear the teacher, and join class discussions from home.
Phoebe could suddenly see the board clearly, look around the classroom, ask questions, and — best of all — talk to her friends. She could join group discussions, laugh with classmates, and feel part of the school community again.
Why Phoebe Was Chosen for the Jack Petchey Award?
Phoebe was nominated by school staff for her perseverance, positivity and the way she has embraced assistive technology to stay connected to her learning. Despite facing challenges that would overwhelm many, she continues to show resilience, kindness, and a determination that lifts everyone around her. Now she is embarking on her GCSE exams – something she didn’t know if she would be able to do a while ago.
Phoebe receiving her award
AV1 robot sitting in Phoebe’s seat in class providing her with access to her lessons and her friends
How Phoebe Used Her Award to Help Others
As part of her award, Phoebe was given £300 to spend at her school. Phoebe chose to spend it in the most thoughtful, inclusive way possible. Instead of choosing something for herself, Phoebe decided to make school more accessible for other students facing barriers.
She chose:
- WiFi boosters — so students using assistive technology can stay connected without the frustration of dropped signals.
- A boccia set — giving students who can’t take part in traditional PE the chance to play, compete, and feel included.
As someone who understands what it feels like to be left out, she is determined to make sure others don’t experience the same.
Phoebe’s journey is a reminder of what young people can achieve when they’re given the right tools, the right support, and the belief that they deserve to be included. Her courage, empathy, and determination make her an inspiration not just to her peers, but to every adult lucky enough to work with her. She is a truly inspirational young person and Maureen is incredibly proud of her. She knows this is only the beginning of what Phoebe will go on to achieve.
