Tanfield School

March’s Epilepsy Star award has been given to the year 10 teachers at Tanfield School, in Durham. The school was nominated by Katy Parkin, who says her teachers have supported her throughout her journey with epilepsy, from her very first seizure in year 7. Katy’s mum, Sharon Bowes, helped her with the nomination, and says she is forever grateful for everything the teachers have done for her daughter.

“Katy had her first seizure on her very first day of secondary school. My heart absolutely dropped to my stomach when I got that call. Since that day, the school have given us full support and understanding.

“Katy is now in year 10 and still suffering from seizures. Katy has had full support from the school throughout these years, especially from her year manager, Mrs Farrell. They help her with school work, talk to her about any of her worries, sorting a routine for her, never leaving her out of anything and never treating her any different to any other student.

“We are forever grateful for everything they have done for us, and we felt thank yous don’t seem enough, so we decide to nominate the teachers for this award.

“At the beginning of Katy’s epilepsy journey, every few weeks she would have a seizure at the same time of around 3pm. I was always informed straight away by the school, and they always took brilliant care of her; made sure she didn’t hurt herself, made her comfortable, stayed by her side.

“Katy’s initial EEG came back with no abnormalities, so we were asked to keep a diary of dates of seizures, and record them if possible. They mainly happened at school, so they got cctv footage of the seizures for us.

“It was a scary time, and Katy was finding it hard to do her day-to-day things, such as seeing friends, going to places because of the ‘what ifs’ in the back of her mind. She eventually started making excuses to stay home. Her dad and I were understanding, as we felt exactly the same.

“A couple years later, we got a sleep deprived EEG, blood pressure monitored for 24 hours, and the school cctv, which enabled us to get a diagnosis of epilepsy. The epilepsy nurses were fantastic and we were able to sort a healthcare plan with the school. Katy was a shell of herself at this time, but we always stayed positive.

“Unfortunately, Katy was still having seizures, even after being put on the highest dosage of medication. We were told she did not in fact have epilepsy, and was to be slowly taken off her medication, and to see a psychologist. Katy’s dad and I were determined to help Katy, as we knew this wasn’t just ‘in her head’. We kept logging the dates of her seizures, and school always tried getting videos for us. It was heart-breaking to see our daughter not able to leave the house.

“After a few more hospital trips, and another EEG, we have been told again it is epilepsy. Katy is starting on a different medication.

“We met with the school to discuss attendance and a way to ease Katy back into lessons. They were absolutely brilliant and offered her a reduced timetable with people around her who she feels comfortable around.

“I couldn’t ask for a more caring, genuine, supportive group of teaching staff than who Katy has around her. Thank you never seems enough, so hopefully this is a special kind of thank you to Mrs Farrell, and all of the year 10 teaching staff.”

Epilepsy Action’s chief executive, Rebekah Smith, said: “We are delighted to honour Tanfield School’s year 10 teachers with this award. It is so lovely to hear that the teachers have provided Katy with support and care throughout her journey with epilepsy.

“School can be a really difficult place for a child with epilepsy, and it is great to see places of education providing supportive, welcoming spaces for children with epilepsy to thrive. We hope that this will inspire other schools to do the same – no child deserves to feel any different because of their epilepsy.”