So here we are today, 30 years on, and I can’t quite believe it!
This milestone, combined with having had some unexpected time to reflect, has given me the chance to look back on the journey, where it began, what I’ve learned, and what has carried me through.
Before I talk about Jigsaw, I want to go back one step further, to where my passion and purpose began.
I was once that shy little girl, hiding behind my mum’s skirt. My primary school teacher described me as both an introvert/extrovert, and when I found performing arts, everything changed. It gave me a character to step into, a place to grow my confidence, and a safe way to express myself. It gave me what we promise it can give our students at Jigsaw today.
As a teenager in Bristol, drama school was my dream but it felt like something other people did. People from London, not me. But I had Ali, my lovely weekend drama teacher who believed in me. She prepared me for auditions, encouraged me, and to my amazement, I got a place at Mountview.
From that moment, two lessons were planted deep within me:
1. The incredible power of performing arts.
2. The life-changing impact of someone believing in you.
Those two beliefs became the foundations of Jigsaw. They’ve carried me through three decades, from nurturing students, to later supporting franchisees, giving others the belief and opportunity to run their own business. And I’ll be honest: there were times I had to cling tightly to those beliefs, especially through the challenges. And there have been more than a few challenging moments in the last thirty years. But again and again, they’ve pulled me forward.
Because the truth is, it’s not just the highlights, though there have been some wonderful ones, like Jigsaw Youth Theatre Company performing on the stage of the Olivier. I cried so many proud tears that night. But it’s also the quieter moments, the times I knew something had to change.
Together, we’ve always risen to challenges with a solution focused mindset, making Jigsaw not just a workplace, but a place to belong.
After 16 years, we had 22 schools running from head office. On paper, it looked successful. But it didn’t feel right anymore. We couldn’t give the same level of personal service. That’s when I made the terrifying decision to go against our USP, “Jigsaw does not franchise”, and take the leap into franchising.
I was absolutely terrified. What if nobody wanted one? But someone did. And others followed. That’s when I learned: true growth happens when you step to the edge of your comfort zone, not miles outside it, just to the edge. That’s where you find progress.
Looking back, Jigsaw has grown not from one big leap, but from consistency:
· Taking small steps every day.
· Never standing still, always evolving.
· Staying aligned with my values.
· Keeping purpose at the heart of everything.
· Self awareness – know what you are good at and what you need help with.
· And treating every challenge as an opportunity to learn.
That’s what has brought us here today, 30 years later, with so many students, teachers, and franchisees carrying this vision forward.
So as we celebrate 30 years, let’s not just look back, let’s also look forward with courage. Let’s remember why we began, let’s hold onto our values, and let’s keep stepping to the edge of our comfort zones.
Because if the last 30 years have taught me anything, it’s this: with passion, purpose, and belief, we can achieve far more than we ever imagined.
