"It was terrifying," said mum Lyndsey, recalling five-year-old Grace's first in a series of seizures that would lead to an epilepsy diagnosis.

As Grace learnt to live with the neurological condition, Lyndsey said the prospect of how it may impact her school life in Par, Cornwall, was daunting.

But Lyndsey's fears were allayed when the school said it would train all its teachers to respond to seizures and dispense emergency medication.

Lyndsey said she was "so grateful and relieved" for the support, she had nominated Biscovey Primary Academy for an award.

"I think Grace is proof basic epilepsy training is important for anyone who is taking care of children," she said.

Existing legislation says schools must be able to support pupils with diagnosed medical conditions and some staff must receive suitable training.

But the charity Epilepsy Action said it wanted epilepsy training to be "a mandatory part of routine training in schools".

Lyndsey said children could have their first seizure in class and is calling for all childcare settings in Devon and Cornwall to train all staff.

The Department for Education said: "No child should lose out on education because of a medical condition like epilepsy, and schools should ensure that pupils are safe and supported in all aspects of their schooling."

Epilepsy is a brain condition that causes repeated, unprovoked seizures due to sudden bursts of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Medication can prevent seizures but not cure the underlying condition.

Recalling Grace's first epileptic seizure in March 2025, Lyndsey said it was "very scary".

"She was actually posing in her World Bood Day costume and I was trying to take a photo of her and then she wouldn't look at me and then suddenly she's staring off sideways," she recalled.

Grace fell to the floor, said Lyndsey, and was taken to hospital.

"It took a long time for her to come back round and be able to speak to us and look at us," she added.

Grace would go on to be diagnosed with epilepsy during the summer holidays.

Turning to the internet, Lyndsey was met with stories of delayed school starts, part-time timetables and children "missing out" following their diagnoses.

"I was worried that might be the case for Grace," said Lyndsey.

"We were worried about her safety, about handing her over to a school."

But when Lyndsey was able to meet with school leaders, their response, she said, was "amazing".

Describing their approach as "proactive and holistic", she said staff received epilepsy training sessions to which Lyndsey was invited so she could explain Grace's seizures.

Grace, who lives with her mum, dad Gareth and brother Harry, eight, has since had one seizure in school, but for Lyndsey it was a "relief" to know staff were trained to deal with it.

"The school has ensured Grace has had a brilliant first year full of learning and fun," she said.

After Lyndsey nominated the school, it was awarded an Epilepsy Star award from Epilepsy Action.

Katie Bullock, head of Biscovey Primary Academy, said it had been "wonderful" to see Grace thrive.

Existing government guidance says any pupil with epilepsy should have an Individual Healthcare Plan, listing things like seizure type, when an ambulance should be called, who is responsible for providing support and what training staff require.

But Lyndsey would like to see childcare settings take a more proactive approach to training, a view backed by Epilepsy Action.

Simon Privett, training and education lead, described as "disappointing" the fact no "official legislation" was in place requiring epilepsy training in schools, despite one in 100 people in the UK living with the condition.

"Every child with epilepsy deserves to feel safe and supported at school, and we hope to see epilepsy training become a mandatory part of routine training in schools," he added.

Lyndsey, who said she struggled to find holiday clubs in the summer she knew would be safe for Grace, wants staff trained in all childcare settings, especially as some children may have their first seizure in school.

"I've had lots of first aid training in my career but until I had the epilepsy training I didn't realise how little I knew about the different types of seizures and the way to deal with things," she said.

Meanwhile, Grace is happy to be back in school, said Lyndsey.

"Grace knows she has epilepsy, she kind of knows that it's to do with electricity in her brain.

"She's hit the ground running like she does with everything - she's not going to let anything stop her."

Section 100 of the Children and Families Act 2014 places a duty on schools to make arrangements for supporting pupils with medical conditions.

The Department for Education added: "The DfE publishes statutory guidance on supporting pupils with medical conditions in schools and governing bodies are responsible for ensuring staff have received suitable training."

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