Circus Skills

Circus Skills

What is it? 

A circus is a group of performers all coming together to show off their various talents and routines for an audience, with the traditional abilities of such groups known as "circus skills". Many people now practice circus skills for sport or pleasure instead of putting on a show, but you can still find people performing their talents in circuses all around the world. 

What does it involve?

Circus skills very greatly in style and physicality; some involve death-defying gymnastic stunts, while others have their basis in sleight of hand and magic! Acrobatics and physical skills are some of the most manually hard to learn, and operating specialist equipment such as the diablo or the unicycle require a lot of mental concentration alongside the demands on the body; circus skills can be hard to master, but infinitely rewarding once you've managed it!

Why do it and what are the benefits?

Circus skills would be great to introduce to students have a naturally dramatic flair, or for those who don't enjoy more traditional sports and exercising. It would be great for increasing confidence in both the physical and mental self, and can be an unconventional but fun way of exercising. Circus skills have also ben proven to help students with SEN needs or disabilities.

What equipment do we need?

Any equipment you may need to provide will depend on the circus skill - for example, you could teach your students juggling with tennis balls, but you'd need to visit a specialist venue to use trapeze or tightrope equipment. Visiting circus skills troupes will often bring all the necessary equipment with them for interactive sessions.

Who is it suitable for?

There are circus skills suitable for all ages! Gymnastics and acrobatics can begun being learnt when very young, and the difficulty level can simply rise as people grow and develop their skills. 

Costs?

This will again depend on the sort of circus skills - hiring someone to tutor students in clown skills will cost less than a tightrope walking lesson... make sure to spend your money wisely!

Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)

The physical extertions of circus skills may make it unsuitable for those with unstable medical conditions, but if you consult with both the venue and the student in question you should be able to make sure they are included in some way; after all, not every single circus skill includes flying through the air and bending your body into odd shapes!

How do we include?

Circus skills often require a lot of physical dexterity, so students who are bodily disabled may not be able to join in with everything! However, there are so many different types of circus skills that there should be something for everybody no matter what disability they have - just make sure to keep the needs of your entire student group in mind. 

Doing it abroad?

Circuses have been consistently fairly popular all over the world, so chances are there is an opportunity to learn some variant of the skills found in a circus wherever you go. Bear in mind that activites may not be advertised as "circus skills" and may just go by the specific activity name such as acrobatics or juggling. 

Main websites: 

https://www.nationalcircus.org.uk

www.shootingstarscircus.co.uk

Venues with this Activity

We are a premium team sports development tour company. Our aim is to deliver unique sports travel programmes including school and youth teams sports tours to enrich young peoples' experiences and leave life-long memories. We offer young players of all standards the opportunity to train and play in the world's top professional clubs.

Broneirion is perfectly placed to give you some inspiration for your next school residential break. Broneirion is the head office, training & residential Centre of Girl Guiding Cymru and, as such, have been running children’s guiding events for many years.

Social Circus is one of the most significant developments in the world of circus in the past twenty years. The impact of circus learning and participation on marginalised and at risk young people has been witnessed by circus trainers, youth workers, social workers and young people themselves. 

Circus Skills Workshop

Recent research has proven the benefits of circus skills in Educational Programmes. It has been successfully used as an educational tool, and has been used therapeutically with children at risk. We can visit your school to deliver exciting and innovative circus skills workshops which  relate directly to the curriculum.

Truly bespoke educational travel.

Every school trip we operate is designed to match your curriculum and meet your learning objectives – once we have taken the time to understand your requirements we will work together to build a trip that best suits your group's objectives and budget.

Activity day camps for children aged 4 to 14 combining Sports and Arts into a fun-fuelled programme keeping children active, alert, safe and happy especially during the Easter and Summer holidays!

At Super Camps your child can expect to take part in awesome activities regardless of their ability or experience.

Established in 1980 Britain’s most experienced summer holiday operator for children and teenagers aged 3-17 years. With a host of exciting and adventurous activities to choose from.

At our PGL centre, as well as recently constructed accommodation, dining room and indoor activity zone, there are more than 20 activities all situated on site. Marchants is also the only centre to have the awesome new Powerfan freefall activity!

Login/Sign Up

Latest News

British schoolgirl assaulted on school trip to Iceland

hotel corridor

A viral video shows a black girl being assaulted by a white woman in a corridor.

Police in Iceland are investigating after a British schoolgirl was slapped and chased by a tour guide in a hotel corridor.

The schoolgirl, 13, who attended Harris Girls’ Academy, was assaulted whilst on a school trip to Iceland to see the Northern Lights. The incident occurred at Hotel Örk, Hveragerdi on 13th October.