IPSWICH youngsters have been clowning around as they learnt the tricks of the circus.Pupils from Handford Hall Primary School in Gatacre Road were joined by a circus troop and learnt a range of skills, from using diabolos and spinning plates to walking tightropes.

IPSWICH youngsters have been clowning around as they learnt the tricks of the circus.

Pupils from Handford Hall Primary School in Gatacre Road were joined by a circus troop and learnt a range of skills, from using diabolos and spinning plates to walking tightropes.

Jane Reeves, who runs the Ipswich Juggling Workshop and works as a teaching assistant at the school, said: “It was fantastic. We had two days of workshops, and the entertainers have been brilliant.

“We had circus-based activities on all week; we related the circus to everything from literacy to science.

“For science we looked at how long does it take a ball to drop? In PE they were practising funny clown walks. Some of them studied a history of clowning.

“They've learnt how to take turns, coordination, cooperation and balance and had a fantastic time.”

Mrs Reeves said she already did juggling with the youngsters daily to develop skills and to settle them down before lessons started.

The circus troop which organised the sessions at the school, Circus Ferrel, will be performing in the big tent at school at 2pm and 5pm today and at 3pm tomorrow.

The show is open to everyone and tickets cost �5. For more information visit www.circusferrel.com.