Beccles youngtsers get a taste of circus life

Reception class try out circus skills inside the Ferrel circus tent. (Image: ©archant2015)

These children are the latest the join the circus during a very special visit to Beccles Primary Academy.

Circus Ferrel spent the week at the school, teaching pupils a range of skills including juggling and plate spinning and performing in a big top pitched on the school’s playing field, and putting on shows in the evenings.

And the workshop won praise from reception pupil Syler Crawford, four, who said: “It’s really exciting.”

On Tuesday and Wednesday, every class got to have a go at learning some of the basic circus skills.

Five-year-old Thomas Leech, also in reception class, said: “I liked balancing plates on sticks - it was fun.

“I have been to the circus before, I like the clowns because they are funny.”

Pupils were practicing their new-found skills under the watchful eye of reception teacher Katherine Knightly, who said: “They are all having fun, it’s something different and it links to their curriculum because it’s helping them with things like their balance and co-ordination.

“They have all been so excited, particularly when we saw the tent going up on Monday, they loved it.”

Charlotte Sterland from the circus had the task of teaching the Ellough Road school reception classes the tricks of the trade.

“We’re teaching them a whole range of skills so they’ve got an overview of everything,” she said. “Everything from diabolo, juggling and a little bit of dance.

“They also walk across a really low wire, because that’s an important skill in the circus and they can come along to the shows if they want with their parents and join in.”

The visit was organised by PE and Key Stage One lead Amanda Clarke, who got in touch with the circus after running a similar workshop at her previous school.

“We have such a great site for them to set up on,” she said. “And I thought it would be a great opportunity to do a whole-school activity, and we had the Rainbows come in as well, so it’s really bringing the community together.”

There will be a circus performance on the school grounds tonight at 6.30pm, and tomorrow at 2pm. Tickets are £6, pay on the door.