School trips are an exciting part of school life, offering opportunities to discover new places, experience fresh challenges, and enjoy memorable moments with friends beyond the classroom. These adventures help you grow, build confidence, and create stories to cherish for years to come.
“Sleepovers, parties, social gatherings, and school trips play important roles in growing up. With better awareness around epilepsy, we can remove the barriers young people face in taking part in everyday life.”
-Olivia, young person living with epilepsy
If you have epilepsy, you should still be able to go on school trips and activities, including residential trips. Epilepsy should not stop you from taking part.
With the right planning and support, most young people with epilepsy can go on school trips safely. This guide explains what should happen, what you can expect, and how to make sure your needs are taken seriously.
Going on school trips if you have epilepsy
Having epilepsy does not automatically mean you cannot go on a school trip.
In most cases, you have the right to take part in trips and activities unless a doctor has said it would be unsafe and there is no way to make it safe. Schools should not stop you from going just because of epilepsy.
Young Epilepsy knows that many young people miss out because adults worry about “what ifs” instead of planning properly. But being included matters. Trips are part of school life, and you deserve to be involved.
Why planning ahead helps you stay safe
Planning ahead is not about stopping you from having fun. It is about making sure everyone knows how to support you if you need help. Setting up or reviewing your Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP) is a great place to start – check out our IHP template to help with this.
Before a school trip, your school should think about:
- What kind of seizures you have
- What support you might need if a seizure happens
- Whether there is anything that usually triggers your seizures
- How staff can help you feel safe and included
This is usually done using a risk assessment. That sounds serious, but it just means your school is thinking things through properly.
What your school should know about your epilepsy
Your school does not need to know everything about your epilepsy, but they do need to know the important things.
They should know:
- What your seizures look like
- What to do if you have a seizure
- Whether you need medication during the trip
- How you usually feel after a seizure and what helps
Your parents or carers often help share this information, but you should also be listened to if you want to explain what helps you feel safe. Your IHP will cover all of this.
Small changes can make a big difference
Most of the time, taking part in a school trip only needs small changes, not big ones.
These might include:
- Letting you take breaks if you get tired
- Making sure staff know when and how to give medication
- Changing plans slightly so you can still join in
- Making sure there is someone you feel comfortable talking to if you are worried
These are called reasonable adjustments. They are there to support you, not single you out or stop you having fun.
They have an extraordinary willingness to work around him.
-Parent of child living with epilepsy, speaking on teachers at their school
What to think about before a residential school trip
Residential trips and overnight stays can feel more worrying, especially if you have epilepsy.
If you are staying away from home, your school should plan for:
- What happens at night if you usually have seizures in your sleep
- Who checks on you and how often
- Where medication is stored and how it is accessed safely
- Who to talk to if you feel unwell, anxious or tired
It is okay to ask questions before the trip. Knowing what will happen can help you feel calmer and more confident. Reviewing your IHP and the risk assessment with your school before you go away will help reassure everyone that the most up-to-date information is available.
You can speak up about what you need
You are the expert in how epilepsy affects you.
If something makes you feel unsafe, uncomfortable or worried, it is okay to say so. That could be before the trip or during it.
You might want to ask:
- Who will help me if I need support?
- What happens if I feel unwell or have a seizure?
- Can I take a break if I need one?
Asking questions is not causing trouble. It is helping adults do their job properly.
You are not asking for special treatment
Sometimes it can feel awkward to ask for support. But asking for what you need is not unfair.
Planning ahead helps you take part in the same experiences as everyone else. That is what inclusion looks like.
At Young Epilepsy, we believe epilepsy should not stop you learning, exploring, travelling or having fun. With the right support, school trips can be something you look forward to, not something you miss.
Need extra help or support?
Young Epilepsy works with schools, parents and young people to make sure children and young people with epilepsy are safe and included in all parts of school life.
If you are worried about an upcoming school trip, or want help explaining your needs, our education resources can help you and your school plan with confidence.
