THE circus came to one Dorchester area school complete with juggling, plate spinning and, of course, clowns.

Youngsters at Broadmayne First School got to try out different circus skills thanks to workshops run by Steve and Jackie Grainger from Shooting Stars.

Pupils from reception to Year 4 joined in the fun, trying everything from juggling with bags and ribbons, tightrope walking, riding tiny bikes, plate spinning, diablos and uni-cycling.

The idea is to teach the students skills like co-ordination, hand-eye skills and to work co-operatively.

Deputy headteacher Jayne Browne said: “It’s being able to learn new skills. We spend a lot of time on throwing and catching skills in school – this gives them another dimension.”

She added: “There’s been a big push for children getting active. This is a great way to get them active.”

Staff and students dressed up and the children learn circus skills ahead of a real circus pitching its big top on the school field.

Happy’s Circus spent a day at the field and did a show for parents and children locally. To tie in with the workshops and circus the young students learn about the history around the circus.

Mrs Browne said: “Year One have been thinking about clowns and the history of clowns. We have been designing our own clown faces and we have done our own clown register and we are going to do some face painting.”

A ‘big top’ was put up in one classroom and students learned about forces like push and pull through circus-themed tasks like making a balancing clown.

Other students shared clown stories and made a non-fiction book about clowns.

Mrs Browne said the school would like to give a big thank-you to Steve and Jackie Grainger for the workshops.

FACTFILE

BROADMAYNE First School takes children aged up to nine from Broadmayne village, but also West Stafford, West Knighton, Warmwell and Woodsford.
The school has lots of outdoor facilities including a swimming pool, a large playground and field.
After-school activities include a Lego club, gardening, wildlife, a choir and tag rugby.
There is also an ICT suite where the youngsters learn to use computers, with interactive whiteboards in classrooms.
The Parent, Teacher and Friends Association at the school runs a group called Friends at Broadmayne School to encourage parents to get involved.
The group holds events and fundraising activities throughout the year, which has helped towards the cost of discos, theatre productions and school resources.

VOX POPS

Teacher Phil Gibbons said everyone had a great day.
He said the circus skills workshops benefit the motor skills.
He said youngsters might excel at circus skills where they didn’t enjoy traditional sports like football. He added that it was about teaching students new skills. He said the workshop would help towards ‘balance and co-ordination’.


Maisie, aged five, said she really enjoyed the day.
She said the pupils had been practicing circus skills like juggling, adding:  “The best thing was juggling with ribbons.”


Atti, aged five, said he had enjoyed the work-shop.
He told the Dorset Echo: “I’m most looking forward to trying the spinning plates and juggling.”