YOUNGSTERS at Potterne Primary School had the opportunity to try out new skills when a circus performer came to the school.

The Parent Teacher Association paid for the performer, called J.J. from London based Splatts Entertainments, to be at the school.

He spent half a day with the children demonstrating various circus skills and letting them have a go.

The teachers also joined in and according to head teacher Clare Brookes it was a fun occasion for all concerned.

She said: "It was wonderful. Each class had a workshop where they tried out skills such as spinning plates, juggling balls, and balancing peacock feathers on themselves.

"The weather was lovely so we were able to do it in the playground. The teachers joined in and enjoyed it as much as the pupils did."

The school likes to have professionals visiting the school to give talks and demonstrations so pupils have different learning experiences.

Miss Brookes said: "The children did things that were different and some of them have never practised circus skills before.

"Their faces were pictures, you could see they were getting so much from it. It was about having fun but they also learned about doing different things and it increased their vocabulary as they were learning new words.

"We are very grateful to the PTA for paying for it to happen, which meant that we didn't have to charge parents."