What’s the name of the school / youth organisation project?
St. Mark’s Primary School
Who are the partners (Youth groups, schools, outdoor education providers etc)
Coastwatch, Irvine beach
Vennel Gardens (sheltered housing accommodation)
Newmilns ski centre
Dogs Trust Charity
Eglinton Park Rangers
What’s the demographic of the area that you work in?
Irvine is an urban area with a population of around 34,000.
St. Mark’s is a denominational school with a role of around 280
Why did you choose to use JASS?
I had experience of my own child using JASS within the school he was in and saw it as an exciting way to encourage a variety of skills and experiences.
What were the hoped outcomes of your initiative?
The aim was to encourage the children to take part in new or existing activities, to celebrate their achievements as well as introducing the children to new experiences and an awareness of responsibility for the wider community.
What year groups participated? What level did you use?
Primary 5 – Bronze
Primary 6 – Silver
Primary 7 - Gold
Can you provide some examples for the activities that the young people did for the award? It would be helpful if you could note any activities that you or any partner took the lead on.
Me and My World:
Intergenerational links developed with Vennel Gardens residents. Playing games; playing instruments; singing etc.
My Interests:
Drawing; baking; coding; cycling; scouts
Get Active, Stay Active:
Football; walking dog; netball; swimming; cycling; judo; karate
Adventure:
Skiing and tubing at Newmilns Ski Centre; Hiking to Eglinton Park then den building/fire starting; residential trip to Arran – canoeing/hiking/abseiling
Was there any additional costs over and above the purchase of the folders?
Costs for visit to Eglinton Park and Arran residential centre
Do you have any examples of how a young person grew in confidence as a result of doing the activities in JASS?
One boy was able to complete his Interests section by becoming an altar boy at the local church, attending each week and carrying out duties required. He also completed the ‘Get Active’ section by walking to and from school as he had no access to afterschool clubs or clubs in the evening due to family circumstances. With each award he achieved he became more confident and happy in himself.
What were the benefits to your organisation taking the lead on this? What went well? Did you reach your outcomes?
I feel the benefits to the school have been very positive. The award scheme has allowed us to develop links with parents as they attend meetings, fundraising events, support the children to complete their record sheets as well as volunteering their time to help with organising the project.
Through the links we have developed with the local community in ‘Me and My World’, the children have a much better understanding of how they can make a difference. For example children attend beach clean events and donate to foodbanks outwith school events.
I had hoped all children would achieve at least one of the areas within the award scheme and all children taking part have done this with nearly all P5 children achieving Bronze.
I reached the outcome I had hoped that all children would take part, if not to complete all award sections, but at least Adventure and Me and My World. This was achieved and, in particular the Adventure section, has been very positive with all children commenting on how much they enjoyed these activities. These activities are what I knew most children would not have experienced and would take them out of their comfort zone.
Any positive quotes, from mentors, participants, parents / carers? Or observations?
Coastwatch now us as their link school and we had the task of naming their new boat. We hosted a Boat Naming Ceremony at the school.
Parents have commented on how they have found the activities enjoyable and a great way to interact with their child, taking part in activities together.
Pupils have made several comments on how they have found the experience enjoyable, particularly the trip to Newmilns.
“Getting my Bronze award has been the best thing that has every happened to me!” P5 pupil
The residents of Vennel Gardens have commented on how they thoroughly enjoy the children visiting and how they “brighten their day”.
The children have commented on how they love to visit Vennel Gardens and like to hear the stories the residents tell them and “we even teach them how to ‘floss’!”
We recently won an award for the school in the North Ayrshire Achieves in part due to the intergenerational links we have developed with Vennel Gardens and many other schools are now also using this idea.
In a recent school inspection, we were commended on how JASS promoted the children’s independence, responsibility as well as their sense of community. They liked how it promoted links with parents and the wider community.
Was there anything that didn’t go well?
Last year I tried to have all classes completing their awards at the same time but I found this unmanageable as I only have a few hours a week to check folders, visit classes, organise events etc.
A lot of the children found recording their achievements and bringing their folders in to school the most difficult aspect.