To receive an ‘Information Pack’ detailing our classes for 2009 – 10, please call Jasspa on 020 8613 6444.

Saturdays at JASSPA : James Allen’s Saturday School for the Performing Arts was started at JAPS in 1993. The idea was to create an opportunity for young people to experience and explore music, dance and drama beyond the school curriculum, giving them the chance to develop self-expression, confidence and skills in a non-competitive environment. From the beginning, workshop style classes have led to performances enjoyed by friends and family. Today over 450 boys and girls from over 80 local schools attend taking classes in a range of activities:

Once upon a story….Drama for 4-6yrs
Dance and Drama for 6-18yrs
One to one Instrumental Tuition for 6-18yrs
Music Theory - graded classes for grade 2+ instrumentalists
Big Band - for Grade 2-6instrumentalists
Jazz Band -By invitation, for Grade 6+ instrumentalists
Choir - for under 12’s
JASSPA Youth Theatre – by audition for 14-18yrs

JASSPA’s classes are for any child with an interest in Dance, Drama or Music. Our pupils are aged 4-18 with different classes on offer for specific age groups. The majority of activities are non-selective and places are awarded on a first – come - first served basis. JASSPA is based at James Allen’s Preparatory School and James Allen’s Girls School, Dulwich SE22. Of our current pupils, the majority of children come from schools other than JAPS/JAGS. Classes take place on Saturdays during term time from 8.30am – 3.30pm. We also offer holiday courses.

Timetables : JASSPA’s timetable is constructed annually, reflecting each September’s intake of pupils and the classes they have requested. We do not publish fixed times for our activities but instead aim to accommodate all pupils who apply for a September place by our annual enrolment deadline – this year 13th June 2009. For example if we have more 11-13 year olds than usual apply for Drama we add extra classes to our schedule. Please note your child can apply for any combination of activities and we will do our best to accommodate all of their requests. However timing restrictions on your child’s availability may lead to them not being offered a place in chosen group activities. For pupils returning application forms after 13th June, places are given wherever
available.

Break Room : If your child applies for more than one activity you will either receive a timetable that has classes running back to back, or a timetable with one or two short breaks. If breaks are scheduled, your child should go to our BREAK ROOM. This is a  space for eating, chatting and taking part in table-top activities, with a tuck shop nearby. Parents are also welcome to use the Break Room although may prefer our on-site Deep End Cafe.

Split site : Lessons at JASSPA take place in the JAPS and JAGS buildings on East Dulwich Grove. Each week Jasspa 6th formers walk music pupils aged under 11 to lessons at JAGS Music School as it is  up to a five minute walk across the school site. Dance and Drama pupils and music students aged 11+ are expected to walk to and from classes independently. Parents must help their children learn the route to and from lessons at the start of term. Whilst there is always help on hand at Jasspa’s main Reception, everyone is ultimately expected to learn their timetable and remember the rooms in which their activities take place.  Parents should stay with their child until they are confident that their child will manage independently.

Commitment & Behaviour : Pupils joining JASSPA for either individual or group activities should be committed in their approach to lessons as well as regular in their attendance. In the unlikely event of a pupil or parent behaving inappropriately, I on behalf of JASSPA, retain the right to withdraw that pupil’s place with immediate effect.

How long do courses last? : For all activities (except Once upon a story….) pupils sign up for a full year’s course as classes are structured to run for 30 lessons and require an annual perspective. During the Autumn and Spring terms Dance and Drama  classes focus on skills based workshops. In the middle of the Spring term these classes then prepare a piece for performance at one of JASSPA’s  evening shows. Choir, Jazz Band and Big Band courses work towards two concerts, one at Christmas and the other during the Summer term whilst Theory courses work towards exams in June.

If you are unsure about your child committing to JASSPA for a school year, it may be useful to know that our courses require an annual perspective and our drop out rate is very small. If however, any child does become unhappy with their classes at JASSPA, we ask parents to see a member of staff as soon as possible. We aim to resolve all problems quickly and sensitively. If your child decides to leave JASSPA before completing a course written notice of one term is required. One term’s fees are charged in lieu of notice, although wherever we are able to replace a child, notice fees are waived.
 
How to enrol at JASSPA : Please click here for an application form. This will need returning to JASSPA with a deposit of £40 per pupil.  Please note, deposits are deducted from your first term’s fees but it is non-refundable in the event of non-attendance. If, due to over subscription it is not possible to offer your child a place, you will be contacted as soon as possible, and at the very latest by mid July. We hold waiting lists for all activities with realistic estimates as to when places will become available.

How many activities should my child sign up for? : As a rough guide, children aged up to 10 might apply for 1-3 activities whilst children aged 10+ could apply for up to 4 activities.

When will I next hear from JASSPA : If there are no problems or queries with your application, you will not hear from JASSPA until you receive a completed timetable and invoice for your child during July. We do not contact you to confirm receipt of application. If you prefer to hand deliver your application you may do so to JAPS or JAGS from Monday to Friday or to JASSPA on Saturday 20th June. Please mark envelopes clearly for Beverly Sizer at JASSPA.

Finally, fees will be due the first Saturday that your child attends Jasspa. Your child’s timetable sent to you in July will include all the necessary fee information.

Jasspa can be contacted by email or by calling 020 8613 6444.