Youth Programme Information

Welcome to the National Centre for Circus Arts

Whether you’re joining us for the first time or returning for a new term, it’s important that you read all the information below to ensure you get the most out of your course and are familiar with our policies and procedures.

You can access your account here. If you haven’t logged in online before, please click Forgotten your password? and enter the email address you used to book your course.

Please ensure you have completed the Medical Information and Emergency Contact fields in your account. If you have no medical issues, please enter ‘none’. If you have any concerns about your ability to take part in the course, do get in touch with us.

If you have any questions contact us on 020 7613 4141 or reception@nationalcircus.org.uk

Access Cards

To make our building safe, we have a touch card system. Members of London Youth Circus and Youth Circus (Year 7-12) are expected to be responsible for their own membership cards, whilst parents of all other youth classes (Family Circus, Junior Circus, Primary Circus) are asked to be responsible for the cards issued in their child’s name.

When coming to our space it’s important that the access card is used to touch in and out of the premises. If you are bringing a visitor who does not have an access card, or if it’s your first time in our building, please speak to Reception on arrival.

When to Be Here

You can check the time and days of your specific course on the timetable using the filter on the Courses page. It’s important to be changed and ready before the start time of your class as you may not be admitted if you’re late.

What to Wear

Clothing requirements vary between classes; your teacher can provide specific guidance. In general, wear comfortable clothing such as leggings or tracksuit bottoms, a T-shirt or vest, and clean indoor trainers. You may need to be barefoot or wear clean trainers, depending on the class.

For aerial classes, clothing that covers the limbs (e.g. long sleeves and leggings—double layers may be helpful) is advised. Supportive ankle straps are recommended for anyone with previous ankle injuries.

Please do not wear: jeans, skirts, very baggy clothing, trousers with pockets on the side of the leg, or any jewellery or watches.

Priority Booking Online

Current participants will receive priority booking for the following term. This allows a course’s existing participants to secure a place before the general booking period opens. Children moving to a new age group will be placed on a priority interest list. We will contact you via email during the rebooking period with instructions on how to proceed.

Progressing to the Next Course

In the second half of term, you’ll receive an email letting you know whether your child is the right age or level to move on to a new course. While we can’t guarantee a place in the next age group, children who are already enrolled in our Youth Programme will be given booking priority over new participants.

Accessibility and Additional Support

We aim to create an inclusive environment and welcome children of all abilities to take part in our classes wherever possible. With many different circus disciplines on offer, those that find one more challenging, such as aerial work, may excel at others, such as ground-based acrobatics or juggling, and vice versa. This has always made circus naturally very accessible to a wide range of participants.

For those that may need it, though, the Sensory Circus programme, supported by BBC Children in Need, is specifically designed for children with additional needs from the age of 8 and above and is led by teachers with specialist training in working with children with SEND. For our other recreational classes throughout the week, the teaching team is not specially trained in SEND support. A small number of classes may have an additional support worker, whose role is to help ensure that aspects of the class are more accessible for certain groups. However, we cannot guarantee their presence each week, and they are unable to offer one-to-one or bespoke support.

We hope that parents and guardians are able to assess whether a class is suitable for their child, so if your child has any additional needs that may affect their participation, please contact us and we’d be happy to discuss our classes, so that you can make an informed decision.

As a very small team, we may not be able to respond to regular requests and are unable to provide updates on the progress of individual participants as the term progresses.

Keeping in Touch

We send termly newsletters and important updates (such as booking dates and class changes) via email — please make sure your contact details are up to date. You can amend your details here.

To receive wider news from the National Centre, tick the ‘I am happy to receive emails’ box under ‘Preferences’ on your account.

Our website has information about your course, along with timetables and term dates. Please make a note of any dates when your course will not be running, such as half-term and bank holidays.

Follow us on Instagram or Facebook to see what’s happening at the National Centre and stay connected with the wider community.

For general or Youth course enquiries, contact us on 020 7613 4141 or reception@nationalcircus.org.uk.

Scholarships

Applications for our Scholarship Scheme typically open each year from February to April.

The scheme allows successful participants to be awarded a full academic year on one of our Youth programmes at no cost. Find out more about the Scholarship Scheme.