A SCHOOL and caring pupils have been nominated for an award thanks to their hard work in looking after their peers with epilepsy.
Friends of two pupils who have the condition at Oakington Manor Primary School in Oakington Manor Drive, Wembley, and Craig Wain, the medical and welfare officer at the school, have been recognised for the support they give.
The Young Epilepsy charity nominated the school and Mr Wain for Champions Awards.
Mr Wain, who has worked at the school since 2011, said: “I work hard to see how best we can best support the pupils with epilepsy and help them succeed in their education.
“We have changed the way we work and raised awareness quite a lot, among the staff, children and parents.
“I was really pleased and really shocked when I found out about the awards.
“It is fantastic news and it all helps to raise awareness.
“The work we have done has changed people’s views and there have been huge positive changes.”
Mr Wain said that the classmates of the children with epilepsy, one of whom sometimes has fits at school, know what to do and deal with it very well.
He said: “They know they have to get help and they are very supportive.
“They are good at being empathetic but also just get on with what they are doing, it is not a big deal.”
A spokeswoman for Young Epilepsy said: “Craig has made a hugely positive impact in school with the regards to epilepsy and the management of the children within school.
“He has raised the awareness and works closely with the outside agencies to make a real difference to the children’s life.
“The work Craig has done has been above and beyond anything the school would have expected.”
Craig and the school are currently fundraising for Purple Day 2014, an international day to raise awareness and funds for people with epilepsy.
Mr Wain said the two pupils with the condition have been given a lot of support by their friends, who now all understand what to do if one of them has a seizure in the classroom or at lunch time.
The awards will be held in March.
