Education Sunday: 'Education is so much more than exams'

Ahead of Education Sunday (13 September), headteacher Jonathan Sands speaks to War Cry's Ewan Hall about the joys and challenges of preparing young people for life. 

A history question: What day has been held annually by churches across England and Wales for more than 100 years to recognise and support people working and studying in schools, colleges and universities?

The answer is Education Sunday, when congregations celebrate and pray for pupils, teachers and support staff as they settle into a new academic year.

‘Education is ever-changing,’ says Jonathan Sands, headteacher at the Ongar Academy, a secondary school in Essex. ‘Every day, we’re dealing with a huge number of controversial issues that perhaps would not have existed when churches started Education Sunday. With different political opinions on education and different views about society, we must remain fairly neutral on most issues. But there are some issues where guidance is set for us and we have to follow it.

‘It can be tough, which is why educators need prayer, not only for the energy to keep going but also for wisdom in navigating those issues.’

If Education Sunday is a celebration, what does Jonathan think is worth celebrating? He highlights that achievement in education is not just about grades.

‘People need to be careful when celebrating education because the focus often goes straight to GCSE, A-level and SAT results,’ he explains, ‘but education is so much more than that. It’s about students being exposed to different people and perspectives, discovering their passions, building relationships and learning skills needed to navigate life.

‘What we should celebrate are the ways in which education shapes young people’s lives beyond exams. And that is why on Education Sunday we should also be praying for the future of today’s children and for education to continue preparing them for whatever that future may hold.’

Jonathan prepared for his career in education by training as a music teacher in 2010. He took up his present post as headteacher in 2024. However, he is keen to point out that being the boss of a school is about far more than just enabling teachers to provide misbehaving children with the threat of being sent to the head’s office.

‘The best way to describe my role is as the ultimate stage manager,’ he says. ‘I am responsible for making sure everything in the play runs smoothly, that everyone is in the right place and knows what they’re doing.

‘I am constantly predicting what might go wrong and putting plans in. But, as well as being the stage manager, the headteacher is also the director and writer of the play. There may be an outline, but how you want it to be received by the young people and the wider community is up to you.

‘What people perhaps don’t realise is how involved headteachers are with families in crisis and with social services and external agencies, particularly when students are facing serious challenges.

We also have a pastoral role in supporting the wider school community. The HR side of the job is probably the most underestimated, because every teacher has their own family, challenges and pressures, and it’s my job to listen, understand and support them.

‘But no matter how happy your students, staff or community are, headteachers are still judged against a wide range of government measures. The challenge is balancing those demands while staying true to your vision for the school.’

Jonathan still teaches music lessons while being headteacher, as he wants to continue to inspire his pupils and make sure they enjoy their education. And, while he takes great pride in seeing them do well on results day, he often finds the most rewarding parts of his job are in helping students and families in moments of crisis and seeing his staff being ‘a source of stability at a traumatic moment’.

Whether facing a crisis or aiming to meet the day-to- day demands of running a school, Jonathan is influenced by his Christian faith.

‘Jesus is the ultimate leader, and I certainly aspire to be a leader like him,’ he says.

He explains: ‘Jesus was the ultimate coach. He never directly said: “You need to do this better” or “You’re doing it wrong.” Instead, he would ask a question that would cut right to the core of that person, who would then have to reflect and say: “OK, I see what you are saying.”

‘I certainly try to do that as much as possible when I work with staff, especially in difficult situations. It’s not about saying: “I am right and you are wrong.” It’s about saying: “Why are we here?” and “What can we do together to put it right?”’

Prayer plays a crucial role in helping Jonathan manage the pressure and responsibilities of leading a school.

‘Although I’m a musician, I don’t listen to the radio or any music while on the way to and from work,’ he says ‘I sit in silence because it is one of the only times in the day when I get to do that. When I’m working, there is not a second that goes by when someone isn’t asking me a question and needing an answer. So my journeys to and from work become my times to sit and talk with God.

‘I tend to pray on the way in and reflect on the way out. I always pray for God to be the centre of all the decisions that are made at school. There are times when I am about to go into a meeting – especially in high- stakes situations – and I’m certainly talking to God in those moments.’

Jonathan thinks that it makes sense for churches to set aside a day to recognise the importance of people in schools, colleges and universities. After all, he says, education is about supporting young people and shaping the future of society and the world.

‘Why wouldn’t you have a day to celebrate the education system? These are challenging times. The sector is tired. I’ve felt it being pulled in lots of different directions. But at the heart of our work is the desire to make sure children are prepared and able to take on their next set of challenges, even if we can’t necessarily see those challenges now.

‘The Bible reminds us in the Book of Proverbs: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

‘We have to have the faith that our interactions with young people make a difference for them. That is a heavy responsibility – and one that does need prayer.’