Children from two mid-Norfolk schools have swapped the classroom for the big top as they gear up to put on a sparkling show.But it won't all be clowning around for the youngsters from Caston Primary School and St Peter and St Paul's School, Carbrooke.

Children from two mid-Norfolk schools have swapped the classroom for the big top as they gear up to put on a sparkling show.

But it won't all be clowning around for the youngsters from Caston Primary School and St Peter and St Paul's School, Carbrooke.

The week-long programme of circus skills workshops will see more than 250 youngsters learn to juggle, spin plates, do the Diablo and walk the tight rope, but as well as injecting a large does of fun into the curriculum it should also help the pupils in their more academic work too.

The circus has been set up on the field at Caston Primary by Circus Ferrell, a company which specialises in getting children involved in the act.

And after two days of intense training the budding young stars will be invited to perform alongside Ferrell's more accomplished performers during a series of public shows.

Caston Primary head teacher, Leonie Smith, said seeing the big top go up on Monday had created a “buzz” in the school corridors and after weeks of anticipation the children were looking forward to getting to grips with a new challenge.

She said: “The circus is here for the whole week and the skills the children learn are good for them in many ways.

“We hope the children will take away what they have learnt, particularly when it comes to the juggling as it is very good for improving concentration and learning about perseverance.

“We are hoping it will help with their intellectual development and also with their personal development.

“Performing in front of an audience should also help build their confidence and self esteem.”

And as well as the workshops in the colourful big top the circus is set to spill over into more regular lessons too.

The children have been reading and writing about circuses in their English classes and have also been creating circus based artwork.

The children's performances take place at the big top at Caston Primary School, The Street, Caston, tomorrow at 6.30pm, Friday at 5pm and 7.30pm, Saturday at 2pm and 5pm and Sunday at 2pm.

Tickets are £5 and available on the door.