About Us

Nicola Lander

Company Director/Founder

As a child I attended a weekend performing arts school in Bristol (my home town) and this was my inspiration. I knew then that I wanted to spend my life in the performing arts, and later attended Mountview Theatre School. Following my graduation I went on to act professionally for several years in theatre and television, both of which I enjoyed immensely. My training had transformed my life and inspired me to set up Jigsaw Arts in 1995.

Over the years, my belief in the benefits of performing arts in education has been proved time and time again. The Performing Arts arena fully complements the students’ school lives by giving them the confidence and social skills to achieve their full potential in what is now a very competitive world. Now I have my own two children I fully understand the benefits first hand.

The performing arts have something to offer everyone, and we find that students attend Jigsaw Arts for a variety of reasons. Some are very ambitious and wish to work professionally in the business, and it gives me great pleasure to watch children unlock their natural talents and to guide them into their chosen career. It’s also heart warming to see an initially shy student find the courage to stand up on stage and deliver lines at the end of term show. Parents have told me that their children had shown greater confidence and become more socially integrated as a direct result of the course. For all our students, Jigsaw Arts is enormous fun and provides a great opportunity to make new friends.

If you’ve not been involved in anything like the performing arts before, we offer a two-week trial to all new students. So come along and see for yourself – I hope you enjoy Jigsaw Performing Arts School.

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Hayley

Franchise Support Manager

After training at Bird College and gaining a degree in Dance and Theatre Performance, I enjoyed a career as a dancer and explored performing in both the UK and across Europe. I then moved to a career teaching dance. I am a qualified ISTD dance teacher in classical ballet, tap and modern theatre, and also teach jazz and tap to Btec level students at West Herts College in Watford.

My Jigsaw journey began in 2011 when I started as a dance teacher working across a number of Jigsaw schools. I later became the manager of Jigsaw Stevenage and then Harrow, before becoming the franchisee of Jigsaw Harrow in 2019. I love running Jigsaw Harrow (which both of my young daughters attend!) alongside working as a Franchise Support Manager. Being a part of the Jigsaw Head Office team is a rewarding job, I enjoy supporting other franchisees and helping their businesses grow and thrive.

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Katie

Franchise Support Manager

I grew up in Cumbria where I started the Performing Arts at the age of 6 to gain more confidence. I soon caught the bug for it and at 18 I left school to train at Paul Mcartney’s Liverpool Institute for The Performing Arts. 

In 2012 I began teaching at 7 different Jigsaw Arts Schools. I have now opened 2 Jigsaw Schools, Jigsaw Watford and Jigsaw Bushey and in 2019 I took over Jigsaw Hendon. I have loved every moment of my Jigsaw journey. As well as being a Jigsaw Franchisee and looking after my young family, I love being part of the Head Office Team to support our growing Jigsaw network.

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Seema

Head Office Administrator and

Personal Assistant

I graduated from Middlesex University with a BA Hons in Business Studies.  I went on to work in investment banking and the financial industry. I have a long history of business administration experience and more recently, I have worked in a combination of primary and secondary schools with varied and diverse settings. I am really enjoying my role of Administrator and PA to the Company Director at Jigsaw Arts and I’m excited to bring my organisational experience and communication skills to support Nicola and the team at head office. When I’m not at work, I enjoy walking and watching my two children play cricket.

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Aoife

Social Media Manager

Jigsaw has always been a huge part of my life. I attended Jigsaw Hendon for 10 years and joined the Youth Theatre from ages 16 – 18. In sixth form I chose to carry out my work experience with Jigsaw, where I helped out in the Head Office as well as assisting a class at a weekend school. I have always resonated with the Jigsaw Ethos, and I had certainly found my place to belong, so when I was offered a permanent place as a teaching assistant I was overjoyed. Since then, I have taught at many Jigsaw schools and had the privilege of watching my students progress throughout the years. 

At University, I gained a degree in Film and TV and have used my knowledge and skills to be creatively involved at Jigsaw. Directing and filming videos, editing the ‘Jigsaw At Home’ videos, and I now run the Jigsaw Arts social media accounts. I love representing Jigsaw’s story through film and obtaining the community we have with our Jigsaw Family and Friends online.

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Lamya

Head Office Accountant

I have been in the accounting field for over 20 years and have extensive experience in a vast range of industries. I particularly enjoy improving and implementing new processes to make financial operations more efficient with the added benefits of cost savings to the business. I am also a great fan of sports and have a passion for weight lifting and endurance training.

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