SENCOs and teaching staff are being asked to take part in a new survey to investigate the support provided to school pupils with epilepsy across the country.
The survey, organised by Epilepsy Action, aims to establish what issues staff may need more support with to help pupils with epilepsy. The charity will also be conducting a survey of parents’ views.
More than 60,000 people under the age of 18 in the UK are thought to be affected by epilepsy and previous studies have shown that up to half of these children and young people underachieve academically at school.
“It is vital that pupils with epilepsy receive support at school to enable them to reach their full potential”, says Leanne Creighton, the charity’s Education Policy and Campaigns Officer. “The survey will help us to understand what support is already in place in schools to support pupils with epilepsy, and see what else needs to be done.”
The survey goes live online on 20 February 2012 and its findings will form part of the charity’s work towards National Epilepsy Week (20 to 26 May). More information is available from:
www.epilepsy.org.uk/nationalepilepsyweek
