Ensuring every child can experience the joy of the circus

Happy’s Circus is committed to making sure that every child can experience the joy of Circus. There are some children who have barriers to learning which means they have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) that require particular attention by the school.

We hope to ensure that every child with SEND is offered the support needed to truly enjoy and engage with our show.

We aim to:

Provide ideas and activities to be enjoyed before Event Day — these will not only help to educate children about the unique history and language of the circus but also the diverse backgrounds of some of our international performers
Enhance the children’s confidence come Showtime — often a gentle introduction to life inside the Big Top, including photos and videos of what they can expect will make it more exciting and not at all overwhelming
Provide a safe, secure, positive and HAPPY environment
Inspire children to consider an alternative way of keeping active and healthy
Develop and maintain links with the local community (schools, colleges, business and the voluntary sector)
Promote an inclusive model of extra-curricular education
Work in partnership with teachers and parents to cater for any type of SEND

Support for Specific Needs

If there are deaf or hearing impaired children who will require a seat relatively close to the Circus Ring so that they can have an unobscured view of the whole show, we can reserve seating to accommodate that. Unlike other circuses, our seating arrangement remains flexible until show day.

If you have a volunteer from your school or a parent who can sign, we can position them close to the children so they do not miss out on any of the jokes and storytelling. This is the best option. Alternatively, children can be seated with their parent(s) who can assist with signing when necessary.

The physical comedy, aerial acts, ground acrobatics, and costumes can all be enjoyed by all children and adults.

We can make you aware in advance of which parts of the show include haze and smoke machines and flashing lights (we do not use strobe lighting). The Big Top doors remain open throughout the performance, and we advise that adults and children who are sensitive to loud music consider sitting in the middle near the back, or they can step outside for a few minutes at any time.

If any children would like to be seated early to acclimatise to their surroundings, that is an option. Or perhaps a personal meet and greet by our Director and Show Manager, Shaun Lee, who can answer questions, would be of interest?

The Big Top is easily accessible with wide entrances and exits and is situated on a largely flat grassy area. If you can, let us know how many ambulant, disabled, and wheelchair users will be attending so that we can make sure they have the space they need, a great view, and feel safe and relaxed while watching the show.

Anyone who would like to sit on the bench seating during the show but requires a wheelchair to enter and exit should remain seated until the audience has left so that their wheelchair can be brought to them.

Working Together

Happy’s Circus works best when we collaborate with you, the Event Organiser, to provide an unforgettable experience.

For more information, please contact:
Rebecca Campbell, Senior Sales Consultant
023 8061 3288