Teachers themselves say pupils with epilepsy are being left behind. New research for National Epilepsy Week found 40% of teachers believe these pupils are not achieving in line with their peers, almost a third did not know they can have extra exam time, and 66% of parents doubted their school was doing all it could. For Epilepsy Action, we turned those findings into a broadcast PR campaign calling on schools to take positive steps, and put a consultant clinical neuropsychologist and the charity's education officer on air across a radio day of interviews. The campaign secured 18 items of radio coverage reaching 2.5 million people, including BBC Radio Solent and BBC Radio Tees.
Epilepsy Action wanted to raise awareness of the lack of support for pupils with epilepsy and encourage schools to take positive steps to help.
The message
Around one in 220 children and young people in the UK have epilepsy. Epilepsy Action wants every pupil properly supported to achieve their potential, with schools working alongside children and parents and having clear procedures in place.
The angle
New research for National Epilepsy Week found 40% of teachers believe pupils with epilepsy are not achieving in line with their peers. Almost a third did not know pupils can have extra exam time, and 66% of parents doubted their school was doing all it could.
On air
A consultant clinical neuropsychologist and the charity's education officer
The result
18 items of coverage reaching 2.5 million, including BBC Radio Solent, BBC Radio Tees.
More campaigns for Epilepsy Action
Epilepsy Action has come back to Relations Group for other broadcast PR campaigns:
An annual UK awareness week in May about epilepsy, which affects around 1 in 100 people. It is used to challenge misconceptions, explain what to do when someone has a seizure and raise money. In 2026 it ran from 18 to 24 May and was promoted by the Epilepsy Research Institute UK. It gives producers a reason to cover the subject, and brands with a credible spokesperson a way onto radio and TV.
Planning National Epilepsy Week for 2027?
National Epilepsy Week usually runs in the third week of May; the 2027 dates have not yet been announced. Talk to the team about a broadcast PR campaign that gets your spokesperson on radio and TV.
