CHILDREN have been given a taste of what life is like under the big top with a visit from a circus.

CHILDREN have been given a taste of what life is like under the big top with a visit from a circus.

Kyson Primary School, in Peterhouse Crescent, Woodbridge, is hosting performers from Ferrel Circus for the whole week.

The troop showed off their skills to pupils and ran a number of workshops encouraging them to get involved and have a go.

From spinning plates to diablo all the youngsters at the school were able to display their talent and learn more about circus life.

The circus set up its big top on the school grounds for one week.

Daniel Pettitt, deputy headteacher, said: “We have a number of themed weeks throughout the year and this one is about the circus - previously we've held some about space, dinosaurs and shipwrecks.

“The children really enjoy it, which is what it's all about. It brings their learning to life and is something they can remember and will continue to talk about until the end of year six. We try to tie everything in with a circus theme - in art the children have been making collages of clown images, while they have also been baking biscuits and decorating them like juggling balls.”

The circus previously pitched up at Chilton Primary School in Stowmarket and head teacher Liz Bowkett said the sessions with the performers had really brought out the best in many of the children.

She said: “They really enjoyed it and it really boosted their self-esteem. We even had an assembly inside the Big Top.

“It was absolutely lovely and I think the most important thing was that they were able to see and meet the circus folk, who sat and had lunch with the children and spoken of the life of being a traveller. It was an eye-opener for everybody.”