LITTLEHAM Primary School pupils are being encouraged to clown around after school when the youngsters learn circus skills.

LITTLEHAM Primary School pupils are being encouraged to clown around after school when the youngsters learn circus skills.

Some 25 Year 2 pupils have signed up for the circus skills sessions, where they are taught the tricks of the trade by a professional.

The club was set up in a bid to encourage youngsters less keen on sports to get active.

During the sessions the skilled pupils have been learning how to juggle, spin plates, ride a unicycle and balance a Diablo.

The sessions will run until the end of term, when the youngsters will be asked for their feedback.

If the club proves successful, the school plans to run further sessions and already has its own equipment which the pupils use to hone their skills between club days.

PE leader and senior teacher Rosemary Roberts said: "We are trying to do things which provide a real breadth of opportunity.

"Learning circus skills is a bit different and something new that children who don't want to go to running around clubs can get involved in.

"We invited the person teaching the skills into school so the children could have a taster session.

"We gave them the onus on the clubs they would like to have - it's about giving them pupil voice.