Touring to 4 settings across the West Midlands, children with SEND (particularly those with mobility issues) will take part in week-long residencies, working with different circus practitioners to rehearse and ultimately perform. The project will explore the benefits of creative expression for children with SEND, as well as positive outcomes resulting from learning circus skills for those with physical disabilities.

Up to 80 children with SEND (particularly those with mobility issues) from 9-18 will take part in week-long residencies, working with different circus practitioners to rehearse and ultimately perform. The project will explore the benefits of creative expression for children with SEND, and positive outcomes resulting from learning circus skills for those with physical disabilities.

The development period for the performance team will include a workshop with respected circus practitioners ‘Extraordinary Bodies’, an integrated circus company made up of disabled and non-disabled performers. Each residency in school will take place over five days with an aim to train up to 20 children (although actual numbers will depend on their abilities or needs) to create a circus performance at the end of the week, bound together with a strong narrative. Trainers will all have different areas of expertise. After taking part in a series of workshops participants will be split up into specific disciplines in which they will work with specialist artists all week, weaving together circus skills and a strong narrative into a final performance.

This project has been funded by Arts Council England.