How did we find out about JASS?
I attended the IOL North East conference and chose to go to one of the workshops on JASS run by David Gwillam. I had run DofE in my previous job and had always thought that it would be great to have something for younger pupils. By the end of the session, I was really excited and went straight to my Head Teacher the next day. I was really happy that she was very enthusiastic too and we both felt that it would fit in well at the Mount and it would be great to be one of the first schools in our area to take part.
David Gwillam became our link for the scheme – this works really well – he is very supportive and interested in what we are doing, doesn’t make me feel stupid when I ask things, is always willing to come to school and talk to staff/parents and doesn’t nag us when nothing seems to be happening for a while!
How we deliver JASS?
When we first started the scheme last year, I sent out a letter in the Summer term to parents of children who would be in Y5 or 6 in the September. This explained what the scheme was about, gave them the web address and invited them to come to a session at school to find out more. David ran this session and we had about three quarters of the children in each year group signing up.
Children are very excited when they get their files – I forget that this is a big thing for them.
We don’t have a set meeting time. With our current Y5 bronze group, all children are involved so I do get the chance to meet them all together. I see the others during break and lunchtimes – sometimes in groups, sometimes individually.
The section certificates are given out as children achieve them in our weekly assemblies as I find that they like to get them straight away.
I am trying to encourage as varied evidence as possible. Lots comes in the form of photos as they like to be able to put these in their files, they are either with writing or they come and talk to me about them. We have also had mini videos and power points. Several cooks have made their own recipe books and knitter brought in the mouse she had made to go with her photos.
Examples of activities that our pupils have undertaken as part of JASS
My Interests: Model making, furniture up-cycling, nail painting, hairdressing, various musical instruments, cooking, looking after pets, horses, drawing, painting, knitting, musical theatre, singing
Get Active, Stay Active: Swimming, horse riding, netball, hillwalking, fencing, dance, gymnastics, climbing, hockey
Me and My World: Making hedgehog homes, making bird boxes and feeding birds, cleaning road signs in village, cake sale for Marie Curie, cleaning the brass in church
Adventure: residential at outdoor centre.
What differences have you seen in the pupils from taking part in JASS?
Improved organisation – just looking after their file was a challenge for some to start with!
What benefits have there been to the school and wider community?
School is very supportive of JASS
Parents are keen for their children to be involved
Participants tell people outside school about the scheme as they do their
activities
Certificates are given out in assembly.
How will you use the JASS programme going forward?
Talk to pupils who have done Gold about D of E.
Maybe start the new ‘colours’ JASS for younger children. This would
probably be done more as a class activity rather than an individual one.
Contact press to get publicity for school and scheme.
