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Students joining Year 7 at Epping St John’s Church of England School at the start of the new school year have had the opportunity to sample life at secondary school.

Over the summer break, the school has opened for four days for the new students to try out lessons, meet their teachers, become familiar with their surroundings and make new friends.

The majority of the cohort took the chance to join summer school and have a tour of the building, as well as art lessons where they made aboriginal pieces; drama lessons where they performed the Lion King; made their own animations in computing; and played dodgeball in PE. They also took part in activities to help them get to know each other

Sam Lighten, transition co-ordinator, said: “Summer school is about making new friends. Some of our students join on their own or not knowing many other people, so it a good opportunity for them to mix in preparation for September.

“I want our new students to know they are now part of our family. I want them to go away no longer feeling worried about starting school in September.”

Minnie Paris, 11, joins Epping St John’s from Waltham Holy Cross Primary School. She said: “I enjoyed making our own animations in computing as we did not get to do that at primary school.

“I was nervous before I came to summer school, but then I made new friends. I was excited to meet my new teachers, too.”

Leanne Savery, 11, from Leverton Primary School, said: “I was feeling nervous about starting secondary school, but I’m not now I’ve been to summer school. I was the only person joining from my primary school, but I knew one other girl – her friends have now become my friends, so I’m not as nervous. I’m looking forward to being with my new friends in September.”