Try your hand (and foot!) at juggling balls and rings, balancing a peacock feather on your hand or nose, plate-spinning and more, in a safe environment and under the trained supervision Barney Bay's expert tuition.

Circus skills are being used increasingly in schools to supplement the traditional curriculum as their many and far-reaching benefits are fully realised:
Developing concentration, persistence, co-ordination, self-confidence, fitness, balance, communication and learning skills.
Giving children who would not normally excel at sports or in the classroom the chance to shine.
Broadening children's horizons and creating a more diverse curriculum.
Promoting interest in sports and P.E. in general.
Circus skills are challenging, non-competitive and fun for all ages and abilities. Every participant is encouraged to reach their full potential.

The Circus Workshop consists of equipment and instructor and is suitable for up to 30 students at a time (for larger events Barney Bay is happy to recommend or book other trained instructors). Skills taught include beanbag and ring juggling, peacock feather balancing, plate-spinning, diabolo, devil-stick, bucket stilts, pedal-go, and performance skills and techniques.

SCHOOLS: for all ages from year one right up to sixth form. A typical school Circus Day will consist of three to four workshop sessions together with a comedy-juggling demonstration by Barney to round off the day (and the entire school is welcome to this part). Each workshop session lasts between 60 to 75 minutes each depending on the year group, and is suitable for about one class size (30 students max.). The school is required to provide one member of staff / adult assistant to help supervise the sessions.

AFTER-SCHOOL CLUBS: usually for one hour on the same day each week after school, and suitable for 20 - 30 students at a time. These often culminate in the group presenting their newly acquired skills in a performance for their parents and / or classmates at the end of term. Alternatively Barney can work with two groups of students, one during each half of term.

YOUTH GROUPS / SCOUTING MOVEMENT: the Circus Workshops are suitable right through from Rainbows / Beavers to Guides / Scouts and beyond. A typical evening session includes many of the skills required for the Circus Skills Badge, and is usually rounded off with a short demonstration from Barney.

CORPORATE TEAM-BUILDING DAYS: management at all levels start off on a level playing-field and are reminded of what it's like to learn a new skill from scratch. Skills explored include juggling, diabolo, plate-spinning and balancing a feather on the nose. To round the session off, the group can work in teams to prepare a short presentation of their newly acquired skills. Spinning plates or other equipment can be provided as a memento of the day.

Circus-skills teacher Barney Bay is based in Bournemouth, Dorset but also covers a large area including Dorset, Southampton, Hampshire and the South Coast.

Barney is covered by £5 million public liability insurance.