LEARNING circus skills, reconstructing a murder scene and graffiti art were among a wide range of exciting activities as students enjoyed a week off from normal timetables.

LEARNING circus skills, reconstructing a murder scene and graffiti art were among a wide range of exciting activities as students enjoyed a week off from normal timetables.

Youngsters at Deben High School in Felixstowe had 35 different activities to choose from in their school's Arts Week.

A Big Top was set up on the school field for the circus workshops, while artists Graffiti King worked with students to create a wall mural in the lower school hall, and other youngsters explored life on the catwalk and the world of fashion, or took part in musical theatre, dancing and singing.

A media team was capturing all the excitement in a newspaper and magazine, and getting involved in radio and TV work, and police and forensic experts were working with youngsters on a murder mystery, learning the techniques which solve such crimes.

Elsewhere students were involved in sports programmes, speed-skating, sculpture, massages, while some students went away - Deben Strings and the jazz band to the Isle of Wight, and another group for a multi-activity week in Devon.

Gilly Lawson-Frost, director of arts college at Deben, said an enormous amount of planning had gone into the event and the school was really pleased with the diversity the week had provided.

The aim was to present a creative approach to learning, with students having the opportunity to learn new skills as well as have fun.

“Throughout the week the fun and enjoyment was a pleasure to see. Every area of the school was buzzing with activity,” said Mrs Lawson-Frost.