During Steves training as a PE teacher he wrote his dissertation on how juggling was an alternative way to engage a new set of pupils in sports. It also gave the pupils control over their learning as they were soon teaching and challenging each other,
Circus skills and especially juggling are excellent learning tools. Progress is right in front of you as are your protests of "I can't do it" By learning to observe this learning process we become much more understanding learners. Our Circus day will not only develop hand eye coordination, balance, confidence and teamwork. Pupils will Learn how to Learn.
Our family workshop and splats packs enable the pupils to become the teachers and share their skills with friends and family.
A Splats learner is not a beginner! Splats Learners are open to new ideas.They're not afraid to make mistakes. They observe & adapt. Splats Learners share & teach their skills to others.
Structure of the day
CIRCUS DAY CURRICULUM
Suitable for all ages: Nursery through to Secondary (and adults!)
Amount of pupils: Up to 175 pupils in a day (call if you require more)
Number per Circus Skill class: up to 35 (call if you require more)
ASSEMBLY
This introduces circus skills to the children so they are already learning before their circus workshop.
circus CLASSES
One class at a time learn to juggle with scarves and beanbags, balance peacock feathers! use diabolo, poi, chinese ribbons and walk on stilts. We use very structured lessons where each circus skill is broken down into its component parts. We recommend circus classes of 30 minutes for Nursery up to 1 hour and a half for year 6 and Secondary.
Family circus workshop & shop
After school we can hold a family circus workshop for an hour with parents and pupils. This will help the parents understand and enjoy what their children have been learning and of course encourage them to learn together and challenge each other when they get home! We can also sell the Splats pack on the day which is fantastic value at only £7 and contains scarves, beanbags, a spinning plate, 2 peacock feathers - enough to challenge everyone.
PUPIL extras
The pupils all receive a Skills Certificate , and, should the school wish, they can also order a Splats Pack so pupils can continue their learning. A percentage of this goes towards free circus skills equipment for the school. These packs are only £7 and £12 and are great value and quality.
SCHOOL EXTRAS
With our full Circus Day the school receives a PDF of our Circus skills teachers guide, an after school workshop and 20% in free circus equipment of all the pupils sales. This will enable the school to carry on our good work provides lesson plans and cross curricular ideas If you need any guidance in teaching circus we are always on the end of the phone should you require any help or advice on introducing circus into your school.
Splats is now on OPEN, the online buying tool designed specifically for schools to make the process of buying goods and services faster, easier and simpler.
Prices
Type of day
Cost*
Description
Pupil receives
School receives
Circus Days
£240 -360 (plus VAT)
Full day. Assembly show. 5 – 7 classes. Family workshop. After School.
We teach initially with scarves as they float and therefore make it possible for even the youngest child to catch. They are great for encouraging pupils to make up tricks of their own and for partner and group work. You can also use them to teach the 3 object pattern although there's no substitute for using beanbags to actually learn the cascade.
We teach using beanbags as they are softer than balls and easier for children to catch. The splats ball/ beanbag we have designed as part of our splat pack is a really perfect tool for learning to juggle. We teach pupils 1 - 3 ball juggling. The key pattern you will find out is to learn to cross the balls in an alternate pattern rather than passing them in a circle. To help learn this, the secret is - believe it or not - is to encourage pupils to drop. If you take the emphasis away from the catching and place it on the throw - eventually the catch will take care of itself.
Diabolos are brilliant for Year 3 (ish) and above. Once you can get the diabolo spinning it can be thrown and caught in as many ways as you can imagine. The pupils will really take over and teach each other.
Chinese Ribbons
A really beautiful way for the pupils to express their movement. Very simple to use so ideal for all ages and particularly good when linked with music and dance.
Never ceases to fascinate children and adults. They are great as they can be used by children as young as nursery as just to balance the plate on the stick is visually interesting. To actually get the plate spinning from a standing start is the key and a great challenge.
Peacock feathers
By far the best way to introduce pupils to the concept of balance. Because they move so slowly it enables the pupils to move with them and with such a visual cue of the eye of the peacock. Balance on a finger - chin - nose!
Stilts
We use hold on wooden stilts - very safe but still a great challenge as the pupils can get the chance to be as high as the teacher. The teacher of course usually can't resist getting on and reliving their childhood.
Poi
Our Splats poi are absolutley perfect for children to use. They are a great way to develop coordination and rhythm - excellent for shows and for use with music. We also have small poi flags - very visual and rewarding to spin.
To view our Circus Day recommendations and press cuttings please click the links below.
Our professional input into the schools arts program curriculum will give inspiration to both pupils and staff. During the circus day pupils gain an understanding of the learning process through learning to drop. In the Make a Play day they gain confidence through doing. Our magic day teaches the joy of technique and practice and our Film Day teaches them the value of teamwork and the results that can be achieved and their own film as proof
Amount of pupils: Up to 175 pupils in a day (call if you require more)
