Standards and Expectations

At Epping St. John’s School, students are freed to succeed within an environment of hope, dignity, respect and the very highest expectations. We constantly strive to:

•             Recognise and celebrate student achievement in all it's forms

•             Encourage the pursuit of excellence

•             Encourage resilience

•             Encourage self-belief

•             Encourage students to be Aspirational, Courageous and Exceptional.

RECOGNITION AND REWARDS

Students at ESJ have opportunities to achieve ACE (Aspirational, Courageous and Succeed) points through various avenues like participation good attendance, participation in extra curricular activities, representing the school in different activities, various acts of kindness, hard work, achievement and good behaviour for learning. Rewards vary from front of the queue pass, certificates, stationaries, vouchers and postcards home etc.

Every time a student achieves ACE points, they will earn points towards a prize.

Once a term they can cash these points in for prizes or they can decide to roll over their ACE points to the next term to earn bigger prizes. ACE points can also be used towards trips.

Pupils who achieve a high number of ACE points are given the opportunity to participate in reward trips and experiences to celebrate their achievement. Achievement celebrations take place every end of term at celebration assemblies. These celebration events recognises students achievements in and outside of school. There is also an end of year whole school celebration event. Invitation will be for students that have made progress through achievement, behaviour and extra curricular attendance.

LEARNING AND PROGRESS

The core purpose of Epping St. John’s is for students to be able to learn, make progress and achieve their full potential in a stimulating and safe environment.

We expect students to engage fully in the learning process to maximise their performance and to improve their life chances when they leave school.

We will work closely with parents and carers to provide information on progress and attitudes to learning and achievement to ensure that every child can make the most of the learning opportunities provided by the school.

We will work closely with parents and carers to provide information on progress and attitudes to learning and achievement to ensure that every child can make the most of the learning opportunities provided by the school

 

Each term pupils receive their current level of achievement, effort and behaviour which allows parents and pupils alike to track and monitor progress. Student progress report is usually sent to parents prior to parents evening. This gives parents an opportunity to set targets with their child with teacher support.

JACK PETCHEY AWARD

The Jack Petchey award aims to recognise, reward and celebrate the achievement of our students who go above and beyond to achieve their potential within school and the local community.

Epping St. John’s is committed to high standards and sets high expectations for its students.

BEHAVIOUR

At Epping St. John’s we emphasise behaviour fit for learning in classrooms and promote the following non negotiables:

•             Be ON TIME!

•             Respect your environment – litter in bin, no graffiti, no chewing gum.

•             Be FULLY EQUIPPED for learning!

•             Be FOCUSSED on learning in the classroom!

•             RESPECT others and the school environment!

•             Wear the correct SCHOOL UNIFORM!

Electronic devices switched off and out of sight

As a Church School, we promote the Christian values of respect and tolerance and have high expectations of how children and adults should engage with one another in and around school. This also includes demonstrating respect within the local community, when students wearing the Epping St. John’s uniform are making their way to or going home from school.

The key priority for the school is that students can feel happy and safe within the school environment and every member of the school community respects these basic principles.

We want students to understand that Christians acknowledge when things go wrong, ask for forgiveness and accept the consequences. That is our way of supporting their growth.

 

ATTENDANCE

Students should aim to achieve at least 95% attendance each year (the national average). Students with attendance between 95%-90% will be required to meet with their Head of Year to discuss ways of improving their attendance.

In order to encourage students to attend school as much as possible, students receive ACE point for good attendance and awards for sustained attendance of 100% at termly assembly.

The current law does not give any entitlement to parents to take their child out of school during term time.  The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 prohibits Headteachers granting leave of absence to a pupil except where an application has been made in advance and the Headteacher considers that there are exceptional circumstances relating to the application. If you do take your child out of school and the leave has not been authorised or a leave of absence application not been completed, the Education Welfare Service may issue a penalty notice to each parent of £60 for each child to be paid within 21 days.  If the penalty is not paid within the time scale the penalty will increase to £120

If the higher penalty is not paid within 28 days, the Local Authority will then institute legal proceedings against you in the magistrate’s court under Section 444 of the Education Act 1996 for failing to ensure your child attends school regularly. 

UNIFORM

School uniform is one way in which we can display the school’s identity and values to the community. All students are therefore expected to wear the correct uniform at all times.

The following uniform rules must be adhered to in school, on the way to and from school and when out on school extra-curricular activities if stipulated: 

•             Regulation black blazer with school badge: this is to be worn at all times within the building of ESJ unless permission is given from ESJ senior staff. 

•             Regulation plain black trousers with a plain black belt or regulation school black and white checked skirt.

•             All newly purchased skirts will have the ESJ logo on the waist and hemline,  which will need to be visible at all, times. 

•             Mid calf length skirt.

•             Plain white shirt or blouse always tucked in buttoned to the top. 

•             School tie worn correctly.

•             Plain coloured socks (ankle length) and tights- no patterns or bold colours.

•             Optional black V-necked jumper/sleeveless jumper or cardigan with school badge. 

• Regulation plain black bag with ESJ logo and child's initials (compulsory for incoming year 7 September 2020)

Shoes  

Only plain black leather or leather/look shoes are acceptable. Trainers of any colour (including black) are unacceptable.  Students wearing incorrect footwear are provided a pair of black ESJ shoes to wear instead. We only accept signed medical notes as dispensation. 

Other points to note 

•             Extreme haircuts -less than a number 2- are deemed unsuitable. Likewise, unnatural hair colours are unacceptable. 

•             One small stud per ear to maintain pierced ears and one watch may be worn. Rings, bracelets and body piercings are unacceptable. Necklaces/chains with religious symbols are permitted but must not be visible.

•             Make-up is not permitted.

•             Nails: varnish, acrylic or false nails are unacceptable. 

•             Outdoor coats should be plain and principally dark in colour (black or blue) without extreme or excessive logos.  Outdoor coats should not be worn within the school building.

•             Any garment worn under the shirt for warmth should not be visible.

To help maintain our high standards, all staff conduct regular checks of uniform.  If students are not in the correct uniform, parents/carers will be contacted and students will be expected to be in full uniform the following day.

PE KIT REQUIREMENTS

Fitted black polo shirt from our uniform provider

PE shorts from our uniform provider

Optional plain black jumper / plain black jogging bottoms

Optional black tracksuit from our uniform provider

Rugby shirt from our uniform provider

Black sports socks

Training shoes (white)

Football boots

Towel

Points to Note

•             Absolutely NO jewellery is to be worn in PE lessons

•             All students are required to wear PE kit during PE lessons - even if injured or unwell, so that they can take on an appropriate role

•             Students are encouraged to wear black base layers during cold weather for warmth.

School uniform supplier:

Fosters Schoolwear Ltd,

12 Birchanger Industrial Estate,

Stansted Road,

Bishops Stortford,

Herts, CM23 2TH.

Telephone number: 01279 653865

Fax:  01279 501019

E-Mail:  info@fostersschoolwear.co.uk

Website:  www.fostergroup.co.uk

Fosters also regularly visit the school and hold uniform sales; you will be notified of the dates in advance.