A SCHOOL has been encouraging its pupils to take part in activities that are usually not part of the curriculum.

The children of Southway Junior School in Burgess Hill enjoyed two enrichment activities last week, including ice skating and a circus skills workshop.

The workshop gave the children the opportunity to play with diablos, a juggling or circus prop consisting of an axle and two cups, and learn plate spinning, a circus manipulation art where a person spins plates, bowls and other flat objects on poles without them falling off.

There were 354 children who took part in the activities from Year 3 to Year 6. The event was organised for the children as the school wanted to give them something to enjoy after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Children have had to deal with school closures, home learning and disruption to their usual academic schedule.

The staff at the school strive to ensure that the needs and aspirations of all children are met to allow them to have opportunities they may not normally have.

Deputy headteacher Helen Denison said: "The children and staff alike had a brilliant time last week.

"These activities are fun which help students to become more engaged in their learning and which then ensures their learning is more meaningful, valuable and rewarding.

"Children have missed out on so many opportunities in the last 15 months, and we felt this was the ideal time to reward their resilience".