Epilepsy is the tendency to have recurrent seizures

Some school pupils may be underachieving because of a lack of understanding about epilepsy, teachers have been warned.

Statistics compiled by campaign group Epilepsy Scotland and the charity Quarriers suggested that a quarter of the country's schools had no staff with specialist training about the condition.

A quarter of epileptic children said they encountered problems with teachers.

Epilepsy Scotland said that as a result many left school with fewer qualifications than their peers - and were three times more likely to be unemployed.

Epilepsy is the most common neurological condition in the UK, affecting 30,000 people north of the border.

Awareness week

Seizures take up to 40 different forms, including "absences" which can appear as lapses of concentration.

Most children with epilepsy attend mainstream schools, but concern has been raised that training of teachers may fail to meet particular pupils different needs.

Epilepsy Scotland claims this has led to children underperforming and achieving poor exam results.

Quarriers now plans to extend a scheme already running in Grampian into schools in Lanarkshire.

Hibs player Alen Orman is urging people to seek support

It will provide basic training for 200 teachers and raise awareness amongst 3,200 children.

Meanwhile, Hibernian footballer Alen Orman helped launch the Epilepsy Scotland freephone helpline service.

Mr Orman was seen by football fans suffering an epileptic fit while playing a game against Rangers in October last year.

"My goal is to highlight that no matter where people with epilepsy live in Scotland, they can phone in for free, confidential information, advice and support," he said.

Epilepsy Scotland's Chief Executive, Hilary Mounfield added: "We are thrilled to have Alen Orman's support for our work.

"Few celebrities are willing to talk about having epilepsy because they are afraid of how the public will react.

"Alen is a successful, international footballer and a super role model for young people with epilepsy in Scotland."

The freephone service was being launched in readiness for National Epilepsy Week, which begins on 18 May.

The helpline number is 0808 800 2 200.