An Epping school has noticed hundreds more prospective students visiting after achieving its first ‘good’ Ofsted rating.

Epping St John’s Church of England School has said that almost 300 more prospective students walked through its doors during its latest open evening than in previous years.

This followed an Ofsted inspection over two days in April which awarded the secondary school the second highest possible rating.

Read more:

Assistant headteacher Serife Horner said: “Following our recent ‘good’ Ofsted grading and our best ever exam results this summer, open evening underscored everything we have been so happy to share with everyone.

“It was a busy evening, with lots of buzz and positive feedback from visitors.”

The school had previously been classified as ‘requires improvement’ in 2015, prior to becoming an academy.

At the open day visitors were able to take part in activities in all departments, including dissecting hearts in science, mono printing animals in art, set designing in drama, a football tournament, and a chance to try the school’s meals.

Epping Forest Guardian: Epping St Johns open eveningEpping St Johns open evening (Image: Epping St Johns Church of England School)

The event was followed by a series of open morning tours, giving prospective students an opportunity to see the school on a working day.

Headteacher Mike Yerosimou said: “Open evening is always a proud moment in the school calendar for us. Not only do we get to show off our school to prospective parents, carers and students, but also to watch our current students become superb ambassadors for their school.

“It was an evening of positive energy and we received lots of great feedback from visitors.”

Ofsted inspectors praised the improvements at the school, commenting that students feel “behaviour now is unrecognisable compared to earlier years” and a focus on the “nuts and bolts” of improving pupil behaviour.

In the report the inspectors said: “Courageous, effective leadership has brought about considerable improvements in the quality of education and care across Years 7 to 13.

“Leaders’ vision that pupils develop wisdom, courage and high aspirations underpin these changes.”

However, they added that some new changes are not implemented consistently, and some pupils wish there were more ways to report worries they may have.