Spotlight on Kim – Jigsaw Watford, Bushey and Hendon

What was your journey to becoming a Jigsaw manager?

I started working for Jigsaw back in 2021 and I’ve not looked back ever since! From the moment I stepped in to teach as a performing arts teacher, on the very first day at Jigsaw Watford, I knew that Jigsaw was always going to hold a very special place in my heart. I share all of the same teaching values and the ethos that Jigsaw has.

Whilst teaching performing arts at Jigsaw Watford, I also taught the Little Ones at Jigsaw Hendon and dance at Jigsaw Bushy, getting the privilege of working with all three of (Jigsaw Franchisee) Katie’s wonderful schools. I then moved from performing arts in Watford to singing and from performing arts to dance in Hendon, giving me the opportunity to get to get to know even more of the incredible students at the school and start really pushing them to their biggest potentials while still moving at a pace that suited each individual. 

Then earlier this year (2024), I got a phone call from Katie asking me to manage Jigsaw Watford. I cried all of the happy tears! A fun fact is I actually made a 2024 bingo card on New Year’s Eve last year and one of my boxes was to advance further in my career at Jigsaw with the word manager in brackets and a fingers crossed emoji. That was a huge milestone for me and I will forever be grateful for that.

What do you like most about being a Jigsaw manager?

Getting to work with all of the students at Jigsaw right from the three-year-olds all the way up to the oldest kids in the 12+ years group!

I always feel immensely proud of watching how far each individual comes in terms of their growth and confidence and performing skills. I love that proud feeling. It’s the most rewarding feeling to witness all of the students just growing from strength to strength every single week. And watching them grow into the kindest and happiest individuals!

Why is creating a place to belong important to you?

From the very first second that I stepped into Jigsaw Watford, I instantly found it a place that I belonged. I was so warmly welcomed by everybody in the team. That feeling of belonging and feeling as though you have found a place for you is unmatched. So, for me, it’s so important that each child gets to have that same sense of belonging, security, and essentially a second family. 

You can see that all of the staff at Jigsaw equally value this importance because they care so so much about every single one of our students. Together, we create a space where every child can express themselves to their fullest capacity and always feel as though Jigsaw is a safe, happy and wonderful place to belong.

What do you hope to inspire in the children at your Jigsaw school?

Self-belief is something I want to inspire in the children at Jigsaw. Growing up, I personally lacked so much confidence and self-esteem which is a feeling that I just cannot bear for any other child to feel. Something that I always ask my students at the end of their lessons is, “what are you” and they have to answer with the word “amazing”. By saying this aloud, it can make such a difference in how a child views themselves.

Do you have any musical theatre background?

I trained professionally for three years and gained a BA honours degree in musical theatre. I’ve been teaching singing, dance and drama for the past 10 years and also specialised in teaching performing arts to children with special educational needs, also known as SEND. 

After graduating from my course, I soon learned that my passion wasn’t with performing, but it was with teaching children performing arts and inspiring the next generation of young performers.

What’s your favourite drama, singing or dance?

Singing right at the top! Singing is my thing, specialising in pop and musical theatre!

I think it’s really because I love teaching singing for confidence building and just getting people to believe in what they do. 

What’s your favourite musical? And have you ever been to a West End show? 

I recently saw Mean Girls in the West End, and I was obsessed! It’s so right up my street from the powerhouse singing, the poppy riffs in the singing, the comedy and the drama. 

My dream role, if I was still performing myself, would be Regina George, for sure. Other musicals that spring to mind that I adore are Dream Girls, Billy Elliot, I adore Billy Elliot.

Learn more about Kim and the performing arts classes at Jigsaw Watford here!