February’s Epilepsy Star Award went to Chapel Hill Primary School in Basildon. The school has shown outstanding support for one of their pupils, Amelia, who lives with epilepsy. Amelia’s mum, Kelli, nominated the school, describing how they have shown exceptional care, understanding and dedication for Amelia.
Kelli tells Amelia’s story and why she wanted the school to receive an Epilepsy Star award below.
“Amelia was diagnosed with epilepsy at just six months old. When she was three, she underwent TOP disconnection surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
“Sadly, her seizures returned when she was five. After a period of stability, her epilepsy became uncontrolled again in October last year. She is now trialling different medications and has been placed back on an epilepsy surgery pathway.
“This has been an incredibly difficult time for Amelia and our family.
“Amelia faces a number of challenges in school at the moment due to significant changes in her epilepsy and treatment. She is currently adapting to major medication adjustments, ongoing seizures, and the difficult side effects that come with both. These side effects — including tiredness, headaches and general fatigue — make it much harder for her to manage the demands of a school day.
“She also has frequent hospital appointments, which interrupt her routine and add to the strain she’s already experiencing. To help support her health, Amelia attends school on a reduced timetable, which can be challenging academically and socially as she works hard to keep up while still prioritising her wellbeing.
“In addition to this, Amelia is visually impaired as a result of a previous epilepsy surgery. This brings its own daily challenges in the classroom — navigating the school environment, accessing learning materials, and managing visual fatigue all require extra care and support.”
Exceptional care, understanding and dedication
“Throughout this difficult time, every member of the Chapel Hill team has shown exceptional care, understanding and dedication. From the receptionist who greets Amelia each morning with a smile and shares important information with her teacher, to her wonderful teaching assistant who keeps her laughing and helps her safely navigate the school day. Her class teacher knows exactly how to lift her spirits during difficult moments and connects with her through her interests, such as Pokémon.
“Amelia is always included in all activities and school events – her PE and English teachers work closely with our family to ensure she can still take part safely. We’ve used Epilepsy Action’s toolkits to assist the school.
“The SENCo is always available, offering constant support and reassurance, and never makes us feel that any question or concern is too small. She does an incredible job of keeping all staff informed of Amelia’s changing needs, which can sometimes vary week by week.
“The whole team has gone above and beyond to support Amelia and our family, helping her to feel safe, valued, and included despite the challenges she faces. What stands out most is that this isn’t down to just one person — the whole staff team is fully aware of her needs, confident in how to support her, and consistently go above and beyond to make sure she is safe and included.
“The way the staff share information so quickly and effectively is incredibly reassuring. It means everyone who interacts with Amelia understands her needs and how best to respond to them. As parents of a child with epilepsy, trusting others with your child’s wellbeing can be daunting, but Chapel Hill has given us genuine peace of mind. We always feel Amelia is safe, understood, and cared for, and that level of confidence is truly rare and invaluable.
“We are incredibly grateful for everything they do, and they truly deserve to be recognised for their outstanding support.
“We are incredibly thankful to Mrs Burke, Mrs Goodgame, Mr Nawaz-Stevens, Mrs Cox, Mr Summerfield and all staff at Chapel Hill that make a difference to Amelia. Supporting her in the way that you do, makes an invaluable difference to us as a family who are facing some challenging periods with her health. Thank you for all that you do.”
Always feel safe
Speaking about her teachers at school, Amelia said: “My teachers at school really look after me when I have a hard day. I love that Mrs Goodgame can always make me laugh and spends time with me in the playground when I don’t feel well. I always feel safe at school.”
Upon accepting their award, Chapel Hill Primary School said “We are immensely proud to accept the Epilepsy Star Award following our nomination by the parent of one of our pupils. We extend our sincere thanks to Mrs Sly for the time, care and commitment she dedicated to preparing and submitting the nomination.
“Amelia is a valued and important member of our school community. Through her remarkable resilience in the face of the daily challenges associated with epilepsy, she continues to inspire both her peers and staff. Her determination and perseverance remind us all that barriers can be overcome with courage and support.
“Amelia exemplifies the importance of resilience, positivity and persistence. She is a true role model within our school, and we are honoured to celebrate this recognition alongside her and her family.”
Support the whole child, not just the condition
Kelli says epilepsy awareness is vital in schools and hopes other places of education are inspired by Chapel Hill’s inclusivity.
“Epilepsy awareness in schools is incredibly important. Epilepsy can vary hugely from one child to another, and it’s vital that schools understand that it isn’t just about managing seizures. There are many hidden aspects — the side effects of medication, the fatigue, the impact of frequent appointments and hospital visits, and the emotional strain that can come with it.
“When schools are truly aware and informed, they’re able to support the whole child, not just their condition. That understanding helps ensure a child feels safe, included, and understood throughout their school day. Awareness also empowers staff to respond confidently and appropriately, which gives parents like us real peace of mind. It makes a huge difference to a child’s wellbeing, confidence, and ability to thrive in education.
“We hope other schools see Chapel Hill’s achievement as an example of what truly inclusive, compassionate practice looks like. Their approach shows that supporting a child with epilepsy goes far beyond having a care plan on file — it’s about creating a culture where every member of staff understands the child’s needs, communicates effectively, and works as a team to keep them safe and fully included in school life.
“Chapel Hill demonstrates that with the right awareness, training, and attitude, a school can make an enormous difference to a child’s confidence, wellbeing, and sense of belonging. My hope is that other places of education recognise that this level of care isn’t extraordinary — it’s achievable. And when it becomes the norm, children with epilepsy can thrive, families can feel reassured, and school becomes a place where every child is truly supported.”
The right knowledge and training
Rebekah Smith, chief executive at Epilepsy Action, said: “We’re delighted to recognise the outstanding care and support Chapel Hill Primary School have provided for Amelia. It is so important that children with epilepsy feel safe and included at school. Every child deserves a classroom where they feel safe, supported and valued.
“We hope that other schools are inspired by Chapel Hill Primary to reflect on their own approach to inclusion and take meaningful steps to strengthen the support they provide to children with epilepsy. By equipping schools with the right knowledge, training, and compassion, we can ensure that children with epilepsy are not defined by their condition, but empowered to live their lives to the fullest.
“At Epilepsy Action, we deliver a range of specialist training courses for schools and workplaces, designed to give staff the confidence and practical skills they need to support people living with epilepsy. Our resources for schools are free of cost, as the charity believes in ensuring every school can be empowered to support children living with epilepsy, and ensure their school life is as safe and supported as it can be.”
