Latest News

Pizza lunch, Lego, fun activities and brand-new facilities – the first day at Epping St John’s Church of England School sixth form was a blast for students.

Year 12 and 13 students who have signed up to study at the sixth form, in Epping, started the school year with a day of teambuilding.

With a larger number of students than previously, the growing sixth form continues to nurture its family ethos by encouraging all to get to know each other well.

The start of a new school year was also marked with the opening of brand-new facilities for the sixth form, providing a new study room and revamped common room area for the older students.

Riley Perril, Year 13, said: “Now there are more of us, having the extra room will be really helpful. It will enable us to have some quiet study time and get our heads down as Year 13 is so important.”

Milli Wilson, Year 13, said: “It looks like a studio apartment I would love to buy!”

The induction day started with an assembly to outline expectations for Year 12, as well as an introduction for Year 13 to UCAS, completing personal statements and being prepared for the important year ahead.

The afternoon was spent taking part in teambuilding activities with external organisation EML.

Finley Jacobs-Roth, Year 12, will study history, government and politics and sociology at the sixth form. He said: “The induction day has been great as we have not been dropped straight into it.

“It has been a long summer, which I have loved, but I am excited to get started.

“I wanted to stay at the sixth form as I’ve been at Epping St John’s for five years and know the school and the staff well.”

Sam Cosford, Year 12, will study physics, computing and philosophy and ethics. He said: “I am looking forward to seeing how it goes as it’s a new chapter for us.

“I like that it’s a safe environment which provides the feeling of familiarity. All the teachers here are supportive.

“The induction has been interesting as a lot more people have stayed on to sixth form than I had realised. But, it’s also good to see new faces mixed in who have joined the sixth form from other schools. It’s nice to meet new people.”

The sixth form this summer celebrated its best ever exam results, with 100 per cent of students achieving at least a Pass in either an A-level of BTEC course.

Fulin Baki, head of sixth form, said: “Today has been about getting to know each other all in the spirit of family. We are growing, but we are not so big that we cannot all get to know each other.

“It feels really positive to see Year 12 start their time with us, nervous but excited. They look so smart and grown-up in their workwear. They will set a great example to the rest of the school. It makes them feel important and responsible in this new chapter.

“They represent the community and the culture of the school.”