Why use it? 

JAS, the Join in Award Scheme, is an entry level award that supports achievement of a wide range of learning objectives. It’s designed to be easy to use and simple to run. It can bring structure and focus and be used as a great motivational tool for learners.  

Activities for each of its 4 Sections can be tailored to individual needs, interests and strengths. Completing them can build confidence, encourage teamwork and develop skills, encouraging children and young people to be active and involved in their community.  

Use it to make activity-based links with curriculum areas and subjects. Set up projects to encourage interdisciplinary learning. 

It’s a great way to promote and record achievements at an individual level.  

JAS is an excellent lead-in to other awards such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. It’s an ideal first step on a learner journey along a progressive pathway of nature-based awards.  

Learning for Sustainability is an entitlement for all learners in Scotland which JAS participation contributes to. It can weave together Outdoor Learning approaches, learning about Sustainable Development Goals, exploring climate issues and Global Citizenship. Activity for each JAS Section can be planned to relate to these approaches and learning contexts.

Using JASS can: 

• support opportunities for all young people to experience achievement  

• encourage healthier lifestyle choices, including being active and outdoors more  

• help schools build partnerships with parents, local groups and the community  

• help with transitions from Primary to Secondary school 

• provide a platform for starting vocational learning 

• act as an umbrella award for other initiatives, awards and certificates.  

How does it work? 

JAS has 4 Sections which can be run at the same time or one after the other, in any order:

My Interests - A new hobby or interest, or an existing one which can be developed further 

 - This is about increasing ability and/or knowledge. It could be learning to play a musical instrument (or improving playing), researching the history of a favourite sports team, player or athlete, or finding out about a favourite animal.  

Get Active, Stay Active - Regular involvement in a sport or physical activity 

- This is something over and above core curriculum PE. It could be walking or cycling to school every day, the ‘daily mile’, rugby, hockey, netball or football training, dancing, cheerleading, horse riding, or going for a walk once a week to explore the nature of the local community.   

Me and My World - A community or nature-based project 

- This is an opportunity to get involved in your community, helping with things you care about. It might be maintaining a school or community garden, helping other children in a youth group, volunteering at a retirement home, or fundraising for your favourite charity.  

Adventure - Involvement in outdoor activity

 - This can be a teamwork challenge involving problem solving, a team game, a walking excursion, orienteering in the school grounds.   

Participants can begin at any one of 3 Levels – White, Green, Gold - each with different minimum time commitments.  

Choose a level which suits settings, resources and participants.  

Plan, capture and record activities in a JAS Participant Booklet.  

There’s no set time limit to complete Sections. Starting and finishing can be at any time to suit pupils, educators and school/setting needs.  

Whilst the Join in Award is for individuals, group and/or individual activity can be included. Home-based activity can also be included.  

As the Join in Award Scheme is not accredited, evidence isn’t needed for anyone else. Collect and record what works for you. 

A JAS Booklet and Certificates costs £5. Order one per person for each Level of participation. 

Coloured badges for each Level cost £1 each when purchased with Booklet orders.  

Post & Packing is included in Scotland, England & Wales (please get in touch before ordering from Northern Ireland and other countries).  

Samples are available on request by sending an email or viewing online.

Questions? Try our FAQs

Delivering the Join in Award Scheme 

JAS is designed to be accessible, flexible and easy to integrate with school, home and extra-curricular activities.  

It can be delivered without specialist training but does require planning and organisation.  

It can help to identify JAS Supporters and a lead person as a focal point for co-ordinating the various activities and experiences offered to participants.  

A range of activities offering an element of pupil choice is often helpful.  

Activities may take place at any combination of school, home, outdoor centre, community setting based, or with partners.  

Plan - In the JAS Participant Booklet the planning page at the start of each Section helps to think about suitable activities. It could be something new or something to develop.  

Prepare – What’s needed to complete a particular Section? Prompts for pupils might include: What do I do already? What materials will I need? Who can join in and/or help me? How am I going to record my activity?  

Permission - Are permissions needed, or help from an adult/Supporter? 

Evidence, Completion - Having decided on activities for each Section, these should be captured in the JAS Participant Booklet by each pupil (with support as required). Pictures, photos, notes or a diary can all be collected; audio and video items can be collated elsewhere and referenced e.g. e-portfolio. On completing each JAS Section take stock of how each participant got on with the activity and what was learned. 

A Sectional Certificate, found within the JAS Participant Booklet, can be used to mark completion of a Section. Present a JAS Certificate (and optional pin badge) when all 4 Sections are completed. Celebrate participant achievements at a school assembly, awards event or in any suitable way. 

There are 3 JAS Levels to complete – White, Green, Gold - why not encourage starting a new one? Or use the experiences to progress to another award scheme? 

Previous Junior Award Scheme for Schools/JASS booklets and some certificates are currently available at £3/copy. Please contact us directly to check availability and place an order. admin@jasschools.org.uk