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Home Campaign Education Action Plan

Education Action Plan

Schools and teachers can go the extra MILE for young people with epilepsy by:

Monitoring achievement and behaviour

Keep careful and appropriate records of students with epilepsy Changes in behaviour or levels/rates of acheivement can be due to epilepsy and should be recorded Tackle any problems early

Including the child in activities and providing a 'buddy'

Offer support in school with a mentoring or 'buddying' system to help broaden understanding of the condition Avoid isolation and stigma - allow students to take a full part in all outings and activities Make necessary adjustments e.g.exam timings, coursework deadlines, timetables

Liaising fully with parents and health professionals

Let parents know what is going on in school - good information sharing is vital Ask for information about a student's health care - it helps you to fully meet their needs

Ensuring staff are epilepsy aware and trained to deal with a seizure

Know exactly what to do if a student has a seizure Raise awareness across the whole school community - provide information to students, parents and staff
         

The Champions for Childhood Epilepsy Campaign has worked in collaboration with a group of local schools to develop a model of good practice which supports schools and teachers to improve the support they are able to give to students with epilepsy.

In a survey by Birmingham University (for Epilepsy Action in 2007) students with epilepsy reported tiredness had a major effect on their condition. They worried about being at school and wanted their fellow pupils and school staff to know about the nature of epilepsy, how widespread it is, its impacts - and what they should do it a student had a seizure.

The Education Pilot

Tandridge_Confederation_Logo
The Tandridge Confederation in Surrey were the first schools to engage with us on this work and we remain extremely grateful to them for their commitment. The project quickly extended through 'word of mouth' to encompass a variety of other schools in the local area.

We worked with a full range of schools to ensure we developed a truly 'fit all' model of practice. Our education pilot partner schools included:

Infant Junior Primary Secondary Special - residential and day Indepedent Confederation of schools Rural Inner city Boarding Academy schools

We trained 31 Epilepsy Champions from 21 schools (7,000 pupils).

Training was extremely well received with feedback ratings showing 86% and 90% satisfaction.


The Epilepsy Champion model

Schools nominate a staff member to be their Epilepsy Champion The nominated Epilepsy Champion receives awareness training The Epilepsy Champion returns to school and reviews policy to ensure the Education Action Plan and the role of Epilepsy Champion are incorporated in the schools policy framework The Epilepsy Champion thereafter acts as a resource for all school staff The Epilepsy Champion identifies opportunities to raise awareness across the school community The Epilepsy Champion links with the NCYPE to access advice and support as and whenever necessary

Following their training, our Epilepsy Champions consulted with colleagues to developing enhanced practice and draw up new policy. This provided opportunities for greater awareness across the school community and ensured policies were appropriate for each school and clearly understood by staff.

We have also been meeting with all the main teaching unions and professional associations who have expressed their support for this work.

 

 

 

If you would like to register an interest in being part of this campaigning work please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .