JAS for Schools & Groups
Suitable for all ages, JAS (The Join in Award Scheme) is an accessible, highly flexible entry level programme, designed to recognise wider achievement.
For schools and organisations there are many benefits to JAS including:
JAS is a highly flexible award, participation can be spread over a term, an academic year, or as a progression between school years.
JAS can be easily adapted to suit the needs, abilities and circumstances of the individual participant. This is particularly effective in Additional Support Need settings. Existing in-school activities and out-of-school interests, can be easily integrated.
JAS helps bridge the attainment gap, especially in areas of high deprivation areas e.g through the Pupil Equity Funding or the Scottish Attainment Challenge Fund.
JAS encourages healthier lifestyle choices, including being active and outdoors.
JAS is an excellent lead-in to other awards such as the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. It's the ideal first step along a progressive pathway of nature-based awards.
JAS (The Join in Award Scheme) is now owned and administered by The Green Team. This means we are there to help make it happen and/or reboot the award for your school or organisation, including free induction sessions to help set it up.
Testimonials
“JAS is fantastic at providing a goal centred individual programme and allows pupils to reflect. It encourages a growth mindset and self-confidence.” JAS Champion
“I liked how you had to organise it yourself.” Participant
“JAS has helped to engage many of our most disengaged learners.” JAS Champion
“It was fun to challenge myself and push myself to the limit.” Participant
“Some pupils have become far more confident in their own abilities and have learnt not to be scared of unknown experiences. A lot of success for all pupils was achieved through JAS.” JAS Champion
More about JAS
JAS Curriculum links
JAS was developed alongside Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence, and aligns with the 4 capacities of Curriculum for Excellence in Scottish Education.
JAS also fits well with England’s National Curriculum as well as educational settings worldwide.
It lends itself to assisting with pupil profiling, particularly in the final year of primary school, and to providing content for records of achievement and/or pupil portfolios
Curriculum - the totality of all that is planned for children and young people from early learning and childcare, through school and beyond - can be planned for and experienced by learners across four contexts:
Achievement – a key element of Curriculum for Excellence
In particular, JAS fits with a context of ‘personal achievement’. Achievement is defined as ‘progress in all aspects of each child’s or young person’s planned learning’ (Building the Curriculum 5). ‘Achievement covers learning within curriculum areas and interdisciplinary learning, including recognition through qualifications, but it is much wider than that. It includes achievement in other areas within the life of the school and outside the school – sometimes referred to as ‘wider’ achievement.’
'Personal achievement provides children and young people with a sense of satisfaction and helps to build motivation, resilience and confidence…All establishments need to plan to offer opportunities for achievement and to provide the support and encouragement which will enable children and young people to step forward to undertake activities which they find challenging. This is one of the key areas where schools need to work closely with a wide range of partners to help young people access information and opportunities and make their voices heard.'
Curriculum for Excellence Refreshed Narrative
Progressive pathways can be developed through nature-based awards such as The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE), John Muir Award, and 16+ Activity Agreements.
JAS Award background
The Join in Award Scheme evolved from the Junior Award Scheme for Schools (known as JASS) in 2024. The Green Team assumed responsibility for the award in 2025.
The award was created by Awards Plus (previously Friends of the Award) to encourage youth awards participation. It is a stand-alone award, as well as an ideal foundation for progressing to other awards.
All proceeds from sales of the JAS Award go towards the work of The Green Team, supporting young people’s connection with nature.