A Pounds 1 million campaign to train more than 3,500 teachers, one for every school and college throughout Britain, to help children with epilepsy is being launched by the David Lewis Organisation, the educational charity named after a 19th-century philanthrophist.
Schools signing up for a one-day course at the organisation’s centre in Warford, Cheshire, will be given training free and receive Pounds 70 towards travel and cover expenses.
David Settle, deputy chief executive of the David Lewis Organisation, said: “The mythology surrounding epilepsy is vast. It has not had the kind of exposure other conditions have had and we believe the way to start changing attitudes is by educating children.”
The campaign, supported by eight local authorities, will also include joint research with Birmingham University’s school of education to build up a national database on the way epilepsy affects children. The trainees will be given the chance to join the project, which will involve monitoring the learning, friendship patterns and behaviour of children with epilepsy, and the work will enable them to earn a Master of Education degree.
Details are being sent out to schools. Further information from David Settle on 01565 872613.