Junior Award Scheme for Schools (JASS)

JASS is an accredited learning programme for young people, supporting the transition throughout primary and into secondary education.

Junior Award Scheme for Schools (JASS) is a progressive learning programme for young people which has been designed to recognise wider achievement. A key aim has been to meet the challenges of the transition from primary to secondary but in practice it can be used at either level as well as with wider age groups in Additional Support Need settings. The objectives of the JASS programme are aligned with the wider learning objectives of the Curriculum for Excellence, The Outdoor Challenge, and the National Curriculum, making it easy to run alongside and incorporate existing curricular activities.

JASS develops the whole individual by offering recognition in four key areas – regular physical activity (Get Active, Stay Active), exploring a personal interest (My Interests), working for the good of the community or the environment (Me and My World) and completing an outdoor activity or challenge (Adventure) and is designed so that participants move through the levels with increasing commitment, learning, and challenge.

By providing a structured programme, JASS aims to support young people through educational transitions. JASS has been designed to be flexible and adaptable to the interests and abilities of individuals to ensure it is achievable by all participants, whilst matching the goals of their Schools Curriculum. There is no set age range for JASS however, because of it's flexibility, JASS is proving particularly popular with Additional Support Needs settings.

HOW JASS WORKS

JASS is structured into four sections, designed to stretch different aspects of developing confident individuals.

My Interests - developing an interest or learning a new skill
Get Active, Stay Active - taking part in sport and physical activity
Me and My World - contributing to the local community
Adventure - outdoor activity and learning, including team work and problem solving

Each of these sections can be constructed to meet the needs of the individuals or to tie in with local interests or projects.

TIMESCALES

The JASS award is progressive, with increasing commitment, learning and challenge across the 8 coloured levels. It is possible though to start at any level should it be practical. Each JASS award takes the following timescales to complete: please see https://www.jasschools.org.uk/what-is-jass.

Upon completion of each section, a JASS sectional certificate is awarded to the participant. Once all four sections are complete for a given JASS level, a JASS certificate and pin badge are awarded to the participant.

TAKING PART IN JASS

There are two ways to participate in JASS, either using the hard copy folder or – for Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels – using our online system, eJASS. The only difference between them is that all data is logged on our online platform for eJASS and in the folder for JASS. Participants still receive sectional certificates as well as the certificate and a pin badge upon successful completion of their full award.

Please see https://www.jasschools.org.uk/ejass for More Information On eJASS.

WHY USE JASS?

JASS is fully aligned with current educational thinking and in particular with the Curriculum for Excellence and the Outdoor Learning Strategy. Because of this, JASS can be a strong partner in describing and evidencing the new breadth of learning and in providing new levels of challenge to sit alongside the core curriculum. JASS aims to build on the Curriculum for Excellence’s main capacities:

Successful Learners | Confident Individuals | Effective Contributors | Responsible Citizens

Although JASS was developed in-line with the Curriculum for Excellence, there is no doubt that these core capabilities also fit with a variety of curriculum outcomes worldwide.

WANT TO FIND OUT MORE?

We have additional pages dedicated to participants, and schools / organisations which include user guides, leaflets, and frequently asked questions.

Please see https://www.jasschools.org.uk/participants for Information for Participants
Please see https://www.jasschools.org.uk/schools-organisations for Schools & Organisations

If you would like more information on the Junior Award Scheme for Schools please email us at the office: admin@jasschools.org.uk or speak to a member of our team: 0131 467 4753

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juniorawardschemeforschools
Twitter: jasschools

The Junior Award Scheme for Schools (JASS) is owned and distributed by Friends of The Award in Edinburgh and the Lothians (FOTA).