October’s Epilepsy Star award is awarded to Oakley School in Kent for their above-and-beyond support for Holly Blake, a pupil with epilepsy at the school.
The school were nominated by Holly’s mum Karen, who says the school have saved her daughter’s life on several occasions. Holly has just been able to celebrate one year seizure free, and Karen credits this to the school, who helped track her seizures and have her medication changed. Karen tells the inspirational story below.
“Holly loves crazy golf, Super Mario karting, and collecting Pokémon cards. Holly had her first seizure on Boxing Day in 2022 and was diagnosed in the following January. She was put on medication that failed to stop her seizures.
“Once a month she continued to have a tonic-clonic seizure lasting longer then five minutes, requiring her Buccal emergency medication and being blue lighted into A&E. This continued for several months until I made the discovery that Holly was only having a seizure around her periods, and the little-known term ‘Catamenial Epilepsy’ was discussed.
“Holly’s tonic-clonic seizures stopped in November 2025, but she was having weekly focal seizures which resulted in laboured breathing. With Holly going to school, I was literally putting her life in their hands.
“Holly is the first person in our family to have epilepsy. When she was first diagnosed, her seizures did not stop unless Buccal was given and I was beyond scared, exhausted and lost for advice or to talk to someone who understands this horrendous condition.
“I called the Epilepsy Action support line and just let out all the tears, the worry and fear and looking to talk to someone who understands. Epilepsy Action was there at the end of the phone who just listened for as long as I needed, who understood my feelings and explained they were all perfectly normal feelings to have.”
Oakley School going above and beyond
“When Holly was first diagnosed the school were extremely supportive. I had a meeting with the head teacher of the school and her team of teachers. They had her care plan in place.
“The school have been absolutely incredible. They carry her Buccal round in a bag with pillows, a blanket and stopwatch, and a member of staff is with Holly at all times. The whole teacher team has become rescue and seizure medication trained so that anyone can help Holly.
“Every time she would stop breathing, an ambulance was called and this caused huge disruption to the class and school. Over time these developed into weekly tonic-clonic seizures, and the school campaigned for oxygen as the ambulance was taking too long.
“The school have completely gone above and beyond for my daughter. They have installed air conditioning in her classroom out of a very tight budget, as heat can be a trigger for Holly’s seizures.
“She also developed high anxiety about having seizures in the classroom, so the school allowed her to have time at home to start to build her confidence back up again. They sent home schoolwork, got the class to call Holly once a week so she could still feel involved and see her friends. They allowed her to start attending again slowly and now she is able to be back full time.
“When I made the connection, it was to do with her time of the month, one of the lovely teaching assistants used to even track her periods and inform all the staff that looked after Holly we were in the danger time zone!
“The school kept a report of her seizure activity, such as how bad they were, the fact she stops breathing and that she needs more help. This was sent to her paediatrician team who changed Holly’s medication. In November she will be seizure free for a year. I am so grateful to the school in working closely with me and her medical team to get this outcome.
“I cannot thank Oakley School enough for the care and compassion they have shown Holly and myself throughout her epilepsy journey so far. When I had to send Holly into school knowing that at any moment, she could have a tonic-clonic that would not stop unless emergency medication was given, and I had to trust the school to spot her seizure and apply this medication otherwise there could be unimaginable consequences was extremely difficult.
“But Oakley school dealt with every one of her seizures efficiently and safely and the support given when getting her to return to school when her seizures had also cost her, her confidence and mental health is absolutely exemplary. I would not have been able to have coped every day without Oakley’s support in keeping Holly safe.
“To other schools with children with epilepsy. Please have a plan of action around them having a seizure. Know the child’s triggers where possible. Ensure they have privacy if they have a seizure and that they have their emergency medications on them at all times and someone to time the seizure. Ensure your staff are all trained in seizure awareness and also the toll it takes on the child’s mental health and be there to support them.”
Training, planning and partnership
Sam Perryman, Headteacher at the school said they are “delighted” to receive the Star award, addinging: “It is a wonderful recognition of our staff team, who consistently demonstrate such commitment to understanding and meeting the individual needs of all our pupils.
“With the right support in place, Holly has been able to return to education successfully and safely. This has been made possible through appropriate training for staff, careful planning and, importantly, excellent partnership working with Holly’s family and health colleagues.
“Our experience reinforces just how important good training, clear and individualised care plans, and strong communication are. When schools, families and health professionals work closely together, pupils with epilepsy can be supported to access education safely and successfully. Taking the time to ensure staff feel knowledgeable, prepared and confident can make a significant difference to a pupil and their family.”
Rebekah Smith, chief executive at Epilepsy Action said: “We’re delighted to recognise Oakley School with this month’s Epilepsy Star award for its outstanding support for Holly. From installing air conditioning to campaigning for oxygen in school, the team has gone above and beyond to keep her safe. Every child with epilepsy deserves this level of care and commitment.
“We recognise that not every school has the resources to offer the same support. It’s vital that every child with epilepsy has an individual healthcare plan, and we strongly encourage schools to implement Epilepsy Action’s epilepsy training.
“Holly’s journey from feeling too anxious to attend lessons to returning to school full time shows the difference the right support can make. We hope her story inspires other schools to review their support and training so every child with epilepsy can thrive.”
