Our Drivers, Vision and Christian Ethos
Our Christian Ethos, Biblical Rooting, Vision and Developing Spirituality
ESJ Biblical Proverb: “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” Romans 12
Transformation begins internally, with a change in the way we think and perceive the world. As a result, this encourages a shift in mindset and values through spiritual and moral growth.
ESJ Guiding Story: The Parable of the Good Samaritan
This parable aligns perfectly with our core Christian values and embodies the ESJ vision to ‘celebrate every member of our community’. The Good Samaritan teaches us the importance of showing compassion and kindness to everyone. This mirrors our commitment to celebrating and valuing every individual in our school and local Epping community. By embodying the actions of the Good Samaritan, we learn to see each person through a lens of empathy and respect.
ESJ Vision Statement
At ESJ we celebrate every member of our family; we embody our Christian ethos through living well together with people of different cultures, genders, sexualities, faiths and abilities. We ready students for life through an ambitious, relevant curriculum that develops wisdom of the world around them and promotes a love of learning. Using this knowledge, ESJ students will courageously challenge outdated views, confidently communicate and demonstrate compassion through aspiring to make a difference in their local community and the wider world.
Developing Spirituality at Epping St John’s
At ESJ, spirituality means to nurture a connection with ourselves, others, Art, Culture and Sports, the natural world and a great force: a Creator and/or awe and wonder in science and nature.
Every aspect of ESJ school life aims to promote all adults and students to have a sense of connection to something greater than oneself.
What does it mean for us to be a Church of England school?
Epping St. John’s School is a Church of England school that offers a caring community underpinned by the Christian values of acceptance and respect to encourage personal excellence and resilience. We have strong links with our local parish church, St. John’s Church, with visits to school by the Clergies and visits to the local church to commemorate different Christian calendared events.
Our Christian ethos means that there is an absolute openness and acceptance of those who do not share this faith.
As part of the Christian family, we show love and care to our community in the charity and volunteering activities that we get involved in each year.
Our vision is to create an environment where students embody the Christian values of the school and represent not only our ethos but also that of the community we live in.
Daily Collective Worship
Collective worship at our school provides time for reflection, spiritual growth, and personal development. Rooted in the Christian calendar, it is inclusive of all faiths and none, with reflective practices that invite everyone to connect each morning. Each week consists of a different theme linked to the liturgical calendar.
Weekly Spiritual Reflection
We send a Spiritual Reflection letter home every week, encouraging the whole community – including parents, carers, students, and teachers – to participate in the spiritual reflection of the week, which is connected to that week's worship theme.
Our Key Drivers – at ESJ, we…
Live well together
We are polite and well-mannered to all members of our community and respect our environment.
Develop wisdom in all
We learn new ideas and information about our subjects and the world we live in
Are Courageous
We don’t give up when things get difficult.
Have the Highest hopes and aspirations
We want to make a positive difference to our local and global community
