What is JASS?
JASS is an accredited award scheme developed to recognise wider achievement in young people - it provides a structured award yet retains flexibility at each stage to fit with all different types of learner and your school setting, aims and goals.
Developed in line with the Curriculum for Excellence and Outdoor Learning Strategy, JASS can be used as a powerful tool to evidence and support wider enrichment as well as the Curriculum for Excellence's core themes:
- Successful learners;
- Confident individuals;
- Effective contributors;
- Responsible citizens.
We build on this research and development by combining JASS with outdoor learning to fulfil curriculum topics at different key stages as well as wider curriculum enhancement, enrichment and personal development.
How does JASS work?
There are 4 sections to a JASS award, each designed to build confidence in young people:
- My interests: developing a new interest or learning a new skill;
- Get active, stay active: taking part in sport or physical activity;
- My and my world: contributing to the local community;
- Adventure: outdoor activity and learning, including teamwork and problem solving.
JASS has different levels (e.g. Bronze, Silver, Gold) with different time commitments at each level, perfect for different year groups.
In order to maximise the opportunities that JASS brings into schools, AE has developed a flexible format that can tie in the following as part of a JASS award to give a truly wide reaching programme:
- Delivery of core curriculum topics;
- Inclusion of other awards under different JASS sections e.g. completing the John Muir Discovery Award as part of the 'Me and my world' section;
- Memory outdoor activity programmes to fulfil the 'Adventure' section;
- Support for wider school initiatives and topics that support core curriculum learning e.g. school-wide eco projects, increasing OFSTED attainment, health and well-being programmes.
Upon completion of each of the four sections, a sectional certificate is issued to participants, meaning that achievement is recognised on a regular basis and even where the full award is not completed
How can JASS help my school and pupils?
The JASS website has a wealth of information on how and why the award was developed (see here). In short, JASS is:
- A valuable structure and framework that can offer a broad and balanced curriculum;
- An adaptable resource that can be used to evidence cross-curriculur links e.g. outdoor learning, health and well-being, citizenship and more;
- Perfect for blended learning;
- Fully inclusive and flexible - it can be used to engages all young person regardless of their interests, aims and needs.
Originally developed to help the transition from primary to secondary school, JASS is now being widely used in schools at different levels to support learning and development.
"We have built JASS into our curriculum and have been using it for every child in years 3, 4, 5 and 6 (ages 7 - 11). In January we had a 'Good' OFSTED report and received 'Outstanding' for Personal Development - the JASS scheme was listed as one of the strengths of the school and was cited as one of the reasons they gave us the 'Outstanding' judgment..."
Headteacher, Byfield Primary School
Ages and levels
The JASS award has a number of levels that are designed so that participants move through the levels with increasing commitment and challenge. You do not have to start at the first level - you can pick which level you think suits each group of pupils best.
| My Interests | Get Active, Stay Active | Me and My World | Adventure | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | 2 hours | 2 hours | 2 hours | 1 hour |
| Yellow | 3 hours | 3 hours | 3 hours | 2 hours |
| Red | 4 hours | 4 hours | 4 hours | 2 hours |
| Green | 5 hours | 5 hours | 5 hours | 3 hours |
| Blue | 6 hours | 6 hours | 6 hours | 4 hours |
| Bronze | 8 hours | 8 hours | 8 hours | 4 hours |
| Silver | 12 hours | 12 hours | 12 hours | 5 hours |
| Gold | 18 hours | 18 hours | 18 hours | 8 hours |
There are no minimum or maximum ages for any level, there is therefore much flexibility depending on how you would like to integrate the programme into your timetable. In practice, Bronze, Silver and Gold programmes are the most popular.
Pupils receive a certificate after completing each section followed by a full JASS certificate and pin badge for completing a full award at each level.
Evidence and Assessment
Pupils need to provide three pieces of supporting evidence to have an award section assessed and signed off. This can take a variety of formats and is flexible according to how programmes are delivered and the activities undertaken.
Your AE Programme Manager will look after evidence collection to ensure that all criteria are met - there is no chasing, gathering, signing off, assessing or report writing for you to undertake, we ensure that all of these elements are completed for you.
Pupils receive a certificate for completing each section of a JASS award - they will therefore achieve recognition for their efforts as they go, even if they do not go on to complete a full award.
Completion of all four sections of an award leads to a JASS award certificate and pin badge.
AE's JASS programmes and costs
AE works closely with schools throughout the Derbyshire and South Yorkshire region to provide JASS programmes for Reception ages through to Year 8.
Programme formats and cost are flexible to accommodate the level of award undertaken, what works best for your school and pupils and to tie in with activities already taking place in school where appropriate. All programmes are therefore tailored to your needs and designed collaboratively with you.
Awards can either be recorded via an online e-platform or with a printed folder and physical copy to complete - both serve as a good record to collect and evidence achievement. Registration includes four sectional certificates, a final award certificate and pin badge and either the physical or e-platform record of achievement and is £8.50 per pupil. Programme costs are then built onto this to suit.
AE offers a range of bursaries and awards to support participation of young people in the outdoors where they may otherwise face barriers to taking part - see below for more details including our annual school JASS programme award.
Bursaries, Awards & Support
Annual AE JASS School Award Programme
As part of AE's not for profit bursary and awards programme, we offer an annual award of a JASS programme delivery at your school.
Applications for the annual award are invited from primary schools in South Yorkshire and Derbyshire who have not previously run a JASS award or where reintroduction of JASS would be of real benefit to both the school and pupils going forward.
Full JASS Award Information and Applications
Thoughts from JASS schools
"JASS provides a wonderful opportunity for us to support children in developing their skills and confidence both in and out of school. Children can challenge themselves and get involved in activities they may never have done before. JASS also allows us to celebrate and share the children's success and wider achievement through their involvement with a recognised award scheme."
Deputy Headteacher, Currie Primary School
"JASS has been absolutely brilliant, I have seen how children have grown in confidence, volunteering for different roles within school and stretching their comfort zones to take part in different activities, as well as supporting each other."
Teacher, Thorner CofE Primary School