Parents were emotional last week after teachers and pupils gave a “passionate” school open evening.

On Thursday (September 22), Epping St John’s in Bury Lane held its first September event since new head teacher Allan Osborne joined at the start of the year.

After the annual evening highlighting progress at the school, visitors went online to praise what they had seen.

One Twitter user wrote: “I actually cried at the speeches tonight.

“Proud to have such a wonderful school at the heart of our community!”

Another said the school “made it all about the children”, while others said speakers provided “heartfelt” information.

The online reactions came after the school branded this year the “year of the hashtag” and launched new social media accounts to highlight its work.

About 250 pupils volunteered to help at the evening, either showing their work and facilities on offer or acting as tour guides.

Mr Osborne said: “It was a wonderful evening which really did showcase all the rapid improvements the school has made.

“What made this evening unique – more than any I have attended or been part of in my 16 year career – is the sheer number of students who voluntarily gave up their evening to talk to our visitors.

“They spoke with real pride about their school.

“They are at the heart of the new vision of the school.

“It seems from the magnificent evening that they wholeheartedly have bought into the vision.

“They feel positive, cared for, safe and adore their teachers.”

The school was rated as “requires improvement” by Ofsted in June 2015, dropping from an earlier “good” rating.