Esher Church School is a faith school for all, not just a church school for Christians. We are fully inclusive of different backgrounds, faiths and abilities and welcome the diversity from across Esher and surrounding areas.
As a Church of England school, we place a strong emphasis on Christian values and encourage the children to consider how they can practice these values to have a positive impact on their own lives and the lives of those around them.
The school enjoys strong links with the local parishes of Esher, Claygate, Weston Green and Hinchley Wood with members of the Clergy and Youth Leaders from both Christ Church Esher and Holy Trinity Claygate leading collective worship assemblies weekly. Our children visit Christ Church throughout the academic year to participate in a variety of services including end of term celebrations, seasonal services and other special events. More recently Holy Trinity have hosted whole year groups for morning events called Christmas Unwrapped and Easter Unwrapped providing the children with opportunities to explore these key Christian celebrations.
We are proud of our strong collaboration with and commitment to our local churches who form an extended part of the Esher Church School community.
Please click on the images below to learn more about Christ Church Esher and Holy Trinity Claygate.
Collective worship
The daily act of collective worship is a legal requirement in all schools. In church schools this is Christian worship and reflects the traditions of the Church of England.
Pupils and staff members at Esher Church School value the special dimension that worship brings to church school life.
Collective worship at Esher Church School is an opportunity for the whole school to come together and reflect, express praise, share Christian values, celebrate special times throughout the year and foster respect and unity through spiritual awareness.
Pupil led worship
Our children have the important opportunity to help nurture the religious atmosphere of the school and provide guidance to their peers, younger children and staff members in their spiritual development.
The school is proud to support Faith prefects (two Year 6 pupils democratically voted in by staff members) and 10:10ers (a democratically voted in selection of children from Year 1 to Year 6) who lead collective worship in school. They are also invited regularly to attend trustee meetings where they share their knowledge and understanding about what it is like flourishing in a church school.
These important roles in Esher Church School play an essential role in promoting religious values, spiritual growth, and moral conduct among our children and staff members. The key duties and responsibilities typically associated with these roles include:
- Promote Religious Activities:
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- Organise and lead prayers during school collective worships, class time, and special events.
- Encourage and help fellow children to participate in religious activities like celebrations (Christmas and Easter pause events) and prayer services.
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- Lead by Example:
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- Demonstrate faith-based values such as kindness, respect, honesty, and compassion.
- Be a role model for good behaviour, following the school’s values and rules
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- Assist Teachers:
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- Support teachers during religious education lessons, ensuring that children understand and reflect on faith-related topics.
- Help with religious projects and activities, such as supporting the update of the Faith display board boards, posters, or displays related to religious festivals or themes.
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- Supporting their peers:
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- Offer encouragement and help to their peers who may be struggling with their faith or spiritual development.
- Organise or participate in buddy systems to ensure that students feel supported in their spiritual growth.
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- Faith formation:
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- Lead and participate in discussions or groups that focus on faith development, including in RE lessons and family prayers
- Assist in organising faith-based charity events or community outreach programs
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- Participate in school events and church services:
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- Help prepare for and participate in school religious ceremonies, prayer services, and other faith celebrations.
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- Promote Christian values:
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- Encourage a positive school environment by promoting love, peace, and acceptance of all ECS community members
- Act as a voice for promoting moral and ethical conduct within the school.
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- Support Leadership and Mentoring:
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- Provide mentorship to younger children, guiding them in spiritual and moral matters.
- Act as a bridge between children, teachers and religious leaders in the school.
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Guildford Cathedral Christmas Art Exhibition
As a part of the Guildford Cathedral Christmas Art Exhibition, our art prefects Lizzie and Lucy have been very busy creating a piece of art to represent this year’s theme of ‘Light in the Dark’, which was on display from Sunday 1st December 2024 until Monday 3rd February 2025. With expert instruction from Ms. Thornhill and Mrs. Leppard, the children have learnt the art of printing using the cyanotype photographic method, and papercutting using scalpels.
With the following passage from the bible as their inspiration, they created an artwork to show the light that Esher Church School brings.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out.” John 1:5
Every single child and adult at Esher Church School is represented by a star. The largest star in the centre represents Jesus bringing light to the world, surrounded by our school community stars, to show that at our school we all bring the light.
The artwork was created by every child and adult hand cutting a star. Our art prefects used them to create a cyanotype print (a form of photography using daylight to develop) as a backdrop. They then created a diorama, hand cutting layers of card to show how the light can shine even in the darkness, and our caretaker Mr. Macdonald made a frame for it.
We are extremely proud of how the children have learnt new processes and used them so successfully together.
