Epilepsy Smart Schools Program

1 in 200 students is living with epilepsy

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?

young children sit around their teacher to hear a story

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.

Click here for more information on becoming an Epilepsy Smart School.