Challenging Fun Educational Workshops “Circus Berzercus is providing a high quality service to schools which is being received and acknowledged by schools and educationalists as both beneficial and inspirational.” Steve Kibble, Devon County Advisor for Secondary Education.

We have been running circus skills workshops together now since 1996. We have worked with children in reception classes through to young adult drama groups (and everyone else in between!)

We are mindful of the fact that we are often dealing with a wide range of abilities and different learning styles.

Our approach is based on breaking skills down into their component parts and trying to convey that through effort and repetition, progress is inevitable…..regardless of the starting point.

 

We believe that developing coordination and dexterity can have a big impact on a child’s confidence and self esteem.

Circus skills promote intense concentration, spatial awareness, retained reflexes and a sense of rhythm and anticipation.

Skills offered in all workshops: Juggling, plate spinning, balancing, scarf/poi (dependent on space and age)

Additional/optional:

Wire walking, diabolo, club swinging, ribbon dancing, basic acrobatics/human pyramids

On request: Hat manipulation, clowning, presentation skills (these will be available during arts weeks/longer periods of training).

We can make equipment available to purchase at competitive prices. Always available are feathers, plates, scarves and bean bags, other equipment may be available subject to special order.

“Students who learn to juggle find other skills easier to acquire, partially because of improved reflexes and hand/eye coordination, and partly because they have learned how to learn.” Dave Finnigan, “The Complete Juggler”

The key to enhanced self esteem is the realisation of one’s self worth, and nothing brings this home better than praise and applause from peers and adults.

Crossing the mid line of your body helps build pathways in the brain.


Organising Your Workshop We recognise that every school is different and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to your specific requirements. However, here are some suggested formats and things to think about.

  • Each workshop leader can manage one class of children (max 35)
  • We would request that the teacher/classroom assistant is present.
  • It is possible, with a large enough space and two workshop leaders to take a group of up to 50 people
    at one time.
  • If there are two workable spaces we could take 60 – 70 (i.e. two classes) at one time.
  • Obviously it is preferable to have two of us running a class because tuition can be more personal.

Sessions:

Reception classes can have short structured play sessions lasting up to 30 minutes.
Key stage 1 from 45 minutes to 2 hours (with a break)’
Key stage 2 from 1 to 3 hours (with a break)
Key stage 3 and upwards 1 ½ hours to all day session

Arts weeks or a longer series of sessions – where the children become performers:

When we run an arts week project or take only one or two classes for a day, it is possible to have a presentation for friends and family at the end of the day/last day.

We provide a backdrop, lights and a sound system and host the performance by the workshop participants.

The performance is a great confidence builder and gives the children an opportunity to shine and show off their newly learned skills. Any children who did not want to perform could work as front of house, backstage/technical crew so that no one is left out.

Contact Judith Sturman at admin@circusberzercus.co.uk or phone 01392 669873.