Supporting SEND learners to practise employability skills with AI-powered roleplay at Creating Tomorrow College

About

Creating Tomorrow College is an employability-focused college supporting adults with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to gain and sustain employment. Students typically attend the college for around three years, combining classroom learning with work experience to prepare for the realities of the working world. 

Bodyswaps was introduced at the college as part of an exploration of new and emerging technologies that could support employability learning.

• Explore innovative technology within SEND education
• Support learners whose learning styles don’t suit traditional written or verbal assessment
• Give students opportunities to practise interview skills and formal workplace communication

Deployment

Assessment integration

Flexible, student-led use

Spotlight: Owen's story

In 2025, Natspec approached Creating Tomorrow College with the opportunity to talk about emerging technologies in SEND education. 

Amongst the students who volunteered to speak, Owen Betridge spoke about the impact that Bodyswaps and immersive technology has had on his skills and confidence. Take a look at Owen's speech below:

Our Q&A with Owen

What was your first experience with Bodyswaps like?

When I first opened the app, I felt nervous. That feeling only grew as the first session loaded but quickly disappeared as I realised that it is the real deal.

How do you feel practice in Bodyswaps helped you in real life?

It's helped me speak more confidently to my family, friends and potential employers. Instead of stuttering every other word, I now speak clearly. I'm sure that I won't fail any speech ever thanks to Bodyswaps.

What is your favourite thing about Bodyswaps?

I learn by doing, not by watching, so I retain the information better. For instance, Bodyswaps taught me to take breaths during my sentence. Like I said in my last answer, I now speak with confidence and clarity.

What would you say to another student that was nervous about using
Bodyswaps?

Probably corny but "Hakuna Matata". There is really no reason to be nervous about using Bodyswaps. Like I said in my speech, it's AI, so there's nowhere near as much judgement as there would be when talking to a real person in an interview.

Thanks to Bodyswaps, young people like me can immerse themselves more deeply and comfortably than in what could otherwise be stressful situations.

Have you tried any other immersive technologies?

Nope, and I don't think I ever will after using Bodyswaps. It really has been that great.

Impact

• Bodyswaps helped students feel more  comfortable making mistakes, encouraging them to practise interviews and professional communication without fear of embarrassment.
• By reinforcing the same guidance tutors give, Bodyswaps supported memory retention and helped students recognise and act on feedback more effectively.
• Usage data and reporting made it easier to demonstrate impact to senior leadership and Ofsted inspectors.

• Allow students privacy when using Bodyswaps to encourage the psychological safety aspects of practicing in immersive learning.
• Let students play around with Bodyswaps & VR to become comfortable with assigned tasks.
• Consider how Bodyswaps can bolster existing learning or assessment - it works well as a part of a wide toolkit.

Future plans

Creating Tomorrow College plans to  continue using Bodyswaps as part of employability modules, expanding its availability to more students.