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‘Epilepsy Champions’ take pride of place at Parliamentary launch
Boost for pupils with epilepsy as school ‘Epilepsy Champions’ take pride of place at Parliamentary launch. Thirty one staff from Surrey and Sussex schools who trained to become ‘Epilepsy Champions’ as part of a new scheme run by The National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy (NCYPE) are being thanked today at a launch held at the House of Commons. The staff took part in a pilot scheme organised by the NCYPE and the Tandridge Confederation, which covered 21 schools and 7000 pupils, around 50 of whom have epilepsy. The report on the pilot’s results is being celebrated at the official reception hosted by the NCYPE’s local MP, Sam Gyimah. In 2009, each of the 21 schools school taking part chose one or more members of staff to become their ‘epilepsy champion’. The staff then received free training from the NCYPE and went back to work with their colleagues to revise school policies and procedures on supporting with pupils with epilepsy. As a direct result of the pilot programme, three young lives have already been changed for the better. Two young people have been referred for assessment while, in another case, a staff member attended a consultant’s appointment with a pupil with epilepsy. The extra information provided led to a change in medication. Champions for Childhood Epilepsy campaign manager Alan Cruickshank said: “These teachers and staff have championed childhood epilepsy in their schools and we are hugely grateful for their hard work and to Sam Gyimah for hosting this reception. “The feedback the staff provided has helped us refine the Champions for Childhood Epilepsy campaign as we roll it out nationally.” “The pilot phase of our campaign, which covered a small proportion of young people with epilepsy, changed three young lives - just imagine what it could achieve across the country. That’s why we hope decision makers will see the benefits of the scheme and give it their full support.” Sam Gyimah MP said: “I am delighted to be supporting the NCYPE and the ‘Epilepsy Champions’ from schools in the East Surrey area. Their efforts to raise awareness of childhood epilepsy and to improve support for young people with the condition across the UK are hugely valuable.” In addition to the low-cost study days and training the charity already provides across the country, the NCYPE has received funding from donors to provide some free epilepsy training for schools in the South East of England. Interested schools should contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.Head of ‘outstanding’ special school to join the NCYPE in September
The NCYPE has appointed Jonathan Sharpe as its new Principal.
Jon is currently Head Teacher of Brent Knoll School in the London Borough of Lewisham, rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.
He will oversee St Piers Special School and St Piers Sure Start Centre as well as the NCYPE Further Education (FE) College.
Around 180 young people with learning disabilities attend the school and college, which are based on the NCYPE ’s 60 acre campus in Lingfield, Surrey.
Jon, who has particular expertise in supporting students with autism, said: “I am delighted to be joining the NCYPE, which has such a positive reputation in the special education sector. The challenge of running a school and an FE college was one I could not resist! “I was very impressed by the dedication of the NCYPE’s staff and the lively and diverse range of students. I look forward to joining the NCYPE in September.” The NCYPE’s Chief Executive, David Ford, said: “I am very pleased that Jon has agreed to join us. This is a new role which brings together the management of 230 staff across St Piers School and our FE College, and Jonathan’s dynamism and extensive experience in special education will be a real asset. “We look forward to welcoming him to the NCYPE .”Neville Childhood Epilepsy Centre gets top honours – twice over!
Neville Childhood Epilepsy Centre gets top honours – twice over!
A specialist medical centre focussing on childhood epilepsy has won a Local Authority Building Control (LABC) building excellence award and has also been highly praised in a report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The Neville Childhood Epilepsy Centre is part of The National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy (NCYPE) and is based on the charity’s campus in Lingfield, Surrey.
Up against nine other finalists, the Centre won Best Community Development. It was designed by the Lee Evans Partnership and built by Buxton Building Contractors Ltd. Funded by donors, it was opened in November 2009 by Lord (Geoffrey) Howe.
In addition, the Care Quality Commission carried out an inspection of the Neville Childhood Epilepsy Centre and its services and found both the facilities and the staff to be first rate.
Head of Health Services at the NCYPE, Hayley Bath, said, “I am so pleased and proud for everyone here at the Neville Childhood Epilepsy Centre. The CQC Inspectors felt it had been a privilege to visit the Centre and expressed how professional and committed they found the staff. They also said how much they enjoyed the day as everyone was so friendly and helpful.”
“To win such a prestigious ward within a year of opening is a great honour too. So much hard work went in to getting the details of the Centre right, it’s great to see it already paying off.”
For more information please go to the Neville Childhood Epilpesy Centre webpage
PR guru Max Clifford is new NCYPE Vice President
The renowned PR guru Max Clifford has become a Vice President of the National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy (NCYPE)
Epilepsy is a condition with personal meaning to Max. He developed epilepsy at the age of 46 as a result of early life brain scarring, and was banned from driving for 12 months as a result.
“We are delighted that Max has agreed to become an NCYPE Vice President,” commented the NCYPE’s Chief Executive, David Ford. “It’s an exciting time for Max to join us, as we are ramping up our Better Futures Campaign to tackle the ‘triple whammy’ faced by young people with epilepsy – the condition itself, poor health and educational support and the stigma still – wrongly - attached to epilepsy.”
Max Clifford said: “As someone who has suffered from epilepsy, I am happy to try and help the 60,000 young people with the condition throughout the UK”.
Shine for Epilepsy - New Voice Newsletter
Inside the latest edition:- Campaign for Champions for Childhood Epilepsy
- Celebrities Max Clifford and Nicholas Owen tell us why they are supporting the NCYPE
- Learn about the ketogenic diet
- Outstanding! The inspectors said so and we're shouting about it
- Introducing free Epilepsy Education 4 Schools
Voice - Summer 2010 (2MB)
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