Epilepsy Smart Schools Program
1 in 200 students is living with epilepsy
Click here to hear from Ava, her family and teacher about how her school became an Epilepsy Smart School and what that means to them.
What is an Epilepsy Smart School?
Epilepsy can have a big impact on a child’s experience at school. Part of this may be due to seizures and medication making it hard for a child to concentrate or remember information from class. But part of this is also due to the stigma and discrimination still felt by many living with epilepsy today.
Every child’s experience of epilepsy is different and therefore supporting them at school will require an individualised approach. An Epilepsy Smart School (ESS) is a school which embeds inclusive, safe and educationally sound practices for all primary, secondary and special school students living with epilepsy.
Three steps that need to be completed to be recognised as an Epilepsy Smart School:
Hold specific epilepsy management plans for each of your students with epilepsy
Schools must ensure that Epilepsy Management Plans (EMP) are held for each student living with epilepsy.
Participate in epilepsy specific training
Schools must be aware of the impact of epilepsy on the student. This step will give teachers an understanding of the psychological, social and cognitive impact of living with epilepsy and how this may affect a student in their classroom. This requirement can be met by clicking here and completing Epilepsy and Emergency Medication training. This training will direct school staff teaching practice, ensuring that the expectations of schools under the Disability Standards for Education 2005 are met
Hold an event that promotes better awareness and understanding of epilepsy
Schools must educate the student body about epilepsy. This step can be completed using resources from the Epilepsy Smart Schools website, either through embedding epilepsy education within the curriculum (e.g. completing the Epilepsy Smart Quiz within health studies) or hosting an awareness raising campaign, such as a purple day event.
National Help Line
1300 852 853
Opening Hours
Monday – Thursday 9am – 4pm
FridayClosed
Saturday – SundayClosed
Recent News
- Epilepsy Training for Teachers now TQI accredited! January 5, 2024
- 2024 Community Epilepsy Training Calendar January 5, 2023
- Is your school epilepsy smart? June 29, 2022
