Acrobatic lessons for Camden’s kids at Belsize Park circus school

Camden children have gone back to school a week early – but instead of studying English and maths, they have been flying through the air like trapeze artists.

Kids aged between eight and 13 have been all to eager to attend circus school at the Wac Arts centre in Haverstock Hill, Belsize Park, where they have been clowning around since Tuesday.

Academic subjects like science and French have been left strictly off the curriculum in favour of tumbling on safety mats, juggling and hanging upside down in a specially rigged aerial studio.

The circus classes run until Friday, when the children will put on a show-stopping performance of their newly learned acrobatic skills for parents.

Senior co-ordinator Stephen Medlin said: “This year is the first year we’ve had no money but fortunately I have a circus background and volunteered to do the workshop.

“We’re running this on a zero budget but we’re doing it because there is such a call for it. On a lighter note, it’s really interesting to see the kids’ physicality change during the week.”