Enhancing Our Performance Space at Skylight Circus Arts

Enhancing Our Performance Space at Skylight Circus Arts

by | Mar 9, 2025 | News, Performance, Support

We’re excited to share that we’ve received funding to further enhance our performance space and provide more creative opportunities for the Rochdale community.

Exciting Venue Upgrades

Thanks to funding from the Rochdale Visitor Attraction and Venue Improvement Scheme with Rochdale Development Agency, we have made some exciting upgrades to our venue at Skylight Circus Arts.

Investing in New Equipment 

This funding has enabled us to invest in much-needed specialist circus and performance equipment. Our new black stage mats and stage lighting will enhance our performances, creating a more immersive and professional experience for our audiences. Be the first to see it all in action at our upcoming show, Sky Fi, happening in mid-March!

Expert Training for Our Youth Circus

In addition to equipment upgrades, the funding has also allowed us to bring in Cath, a local creative professional with skills in aerial and circus to work with our Spotlight performance troupe and youth circus.

Working with new creative professionals not only gives our young people new circus skills but it also provides us with new and exciting ideas, inspiration and helps to develop their resilience and team work. 

The training is focused in acrobalance and will further develop their skills, ready for our upcoming show, Sky-Fi.

photograph of three people, two younger boys and one women practising acrobalance. One boy is balancing on the women and the other boy is spotting him.

Sky-Fi

Coming Soon!

Date: Saturday 15th March 3pm & 7pm and Sunday 16th March 11am & 3pm

Location: Skylight Circus Arts, St Chads Fold, Sparrow Hill, Rochdale, OL16 1QT

Tickets: £5 per person (must book in advance)

Contact us for more information

Tickets

Thank You

A huge thank you to Rochdale Visitor Attraction and Venue Improvement Scheme and Rochdale Development Agency to supporting us to further develop our training space and performance venue here in Rochdale. 

Support Skylight Circus Arts

We are working hard to continue to develop our venue, upgrade our equipment and create high-quality performances for Rochdale audiences.

If you’d like to help us and are able to, please consider donating or sharing our stories with your families, friends and networks. Your kindness and support makes a huge difference!

Donate

Contact us to find out more about our projects, join one of our classes and our wonderful Skylight community.

Spotlight Presents: Sky-Fi Circus Show

Spotlight Presents: Sky-Fi Circus Show

by | Mar 9, 2025 | News, Our Team & Community, Performance, Projects, Spotlight

Meet our youth performance troupe, Spotlight and hear about our upcoming space themed circus and aerial show, Sky-Fi!

Spotlight

Originally formed in 2019, made up of a group of young performers from Skylight Circus Arts’ youth circus and aerial classes. They inspired the community and showcased their talent at community events such as Rochdale Feel Good Festival, Middleton Sports and Culture Awards and Darnhill Festival. They were set to debut their first solo show ‘Mammoth’ at Gracie Fields Theatre in March 2020, but the pandemic halted those plans.

Skylight Circus Manchester NW Aerial Silk Performers
Skylight Circus Youth Circus Theatre Performance
Skylight Circus Youth Circus Acro Training
Skylight Circus backstage at Middleton Arena
Skylight Circus NW Acrobatic Artists

While most of the original Spotlight members have moved on to university, one now works with us as a freelance circus and aerial tutor and performer, both here at Skylight and other venues in the North West. She has also worked on the Sky-Fi project and will be performing in the show!

A New Generation

Thanks to funding from Arts Council England, we have been able to reignite Spotlight with a brand new cohort of young circus performers and creatives to create a new circus show Sky-Fi.

The new Spotlight group, formed in January 2025, is made up of 14 young performers aged 12-20 all from the Rochdale and the surrounding areas. They’ve trained with us in Skylight’s regular youth circus classes and have shown a strong interest in developing their performance skills and working within the arts.

“My favourite part of being in Spotlight and creating Sky-Fi has been creating the show with everyone else. Some of us didn’t really know each other that well before January but we’re like a big team now.” 

– Spotlight Member

Spotlight’s Upcoming Circus Show: Sky-Fi

Since January, Skylight have been creating, training and rehearsing with Spotlight to create Sky Fi, an circus show that will take audiences on a journey to explore the curiosity of the vastness of space, the movement of zero gravity, and our connection to the universe.

Expect to step into the abyss with a mesmerising tight wire performance, orbiting unicyclists and aerial acts questioning time and space.

One of the initial sparks of inspiration from the group was the idea of how enormous the universe is, and how tiny we really are here on earth.

 

 

“I like to think about how tiny we are, compared to everything else. Like when you think about life and your problems, but then you zoom out and take step back and think about how big the universe is, it’s actually kind of nice because it makes your problems feel smaller.”

– Spotlight Member

 

Creative Employment Pathways

Skylight Circus Arts is working hard to provide opportunities for our young people in creative employment pathways. With two Spotlight members already working with us, Spotlight’s journey is a testament to that vision.

By giving these talented young performers the opportunity to develop their skills in circus, performance and other areas within the creative industry we hope to inspire and provide more opportunities to the next generation of circus artists and young creatives.

Support Spotlight

Come and witness the magic of Sky-Fi and support the next generation of circus artists! Whether you’re a fan of circus, space, or simply love a good show, this is an event not to be missed.

Date: Saturday 15th March 3pm & 7pm and Sunday 16th March 11am & 3pm
Location: Skylight Circus Arts, St Chads Fold, Sparrow Hill, Rochdale, OL16 1QT
Tickets: £5 per person (must book in advance)

Tickets

Help Shape Spotlights Future

We are working hard to secure funding to keep our Spotlight performance troupe thriving. If you’d like to help us provide opportunities for young Rochdale creatives, please consider donating. Your support makes a difference!
Donate

Contact us to find out more about our classes and our wonderful Skylight community.

How Circus Impacts on Children’s Language and Literacy Development

How Circus Impacts on Children’s Language and Literacy Development

by | Nov 21, 2024 | Covid-19, Education, News

How Circus Skills are Transforming Lives

In recent years, the challenges facing young people’s language and literacy development have been widely reported across the UK. National waiting lists for speech and language referrals continue to grow, leaving many children without the timely support they need.

At Skylight Circus Arts, our Circus Train the Trainer programme has stepped up to meet this need, offering a unique, evidence-based solution that is changing lives and advancing educational outcomes, one circus skill at a time.

The Language and Literacy Crisis in UK Schools

According The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, more than 75,000 children in the UK are on waiting lists for specialist language and literacy support. With primary schools particularly affected by this gap, teachers are seeking creative solutions to stimulate learning and personal development. Through Circus Train the Trainer, we have developed a programme that not only delivers immediate improvement but also brings joy and engagement to the learning process.

Skylight Circus Manchester primary school workshop

Circus: A New Approach to Development

Rochdale Primary school teachers and teaching assistants with their Skylight Circus Train the Trainer resource packs.

Our Circus Train the Trainer programme empowers primary schools to support children in new, impactful ways. Designed as a flexible cascade learning model, it trains teachers to deliver circus-based activities tailored to enhance children’s speech, language and overall cognitive development. Over the past three years, Circus Train the Trainer has reached over 600 primary school children, with extraordinary results

  • Language Development: In partnership with Rochdale’s Early Help and Schools, Children participating in this programme, advanced their language and literacy skills by an average of 1 year in a single term, an outcome that exceeded expectations.
  • Engagement and Confidence: 90% of teachers reported that students showed increased classroom participation and improved confidence.
  • Motor Skills and Concentration: Circus activities develop fine and gross motor skills, which research shows is vital for young learners’ language development and concentration. Teachers noted that students showed increased focus, resilience and a readiness to learn across subjects.

“These results point to the remarkable potential of circus arts as an innovative educational tool, particularly at a time when the demand for mental health and language support far outstrips available resources” 

Martine Bradford, Creative Director  

Evidence Based Impact: How Circus is Helping Schools Bridge the Gap

The Circus Train the Trainer programme has provided primary schools with a measurable and immediate solution to improve students’ language and literacy outcomes. With waiting times for specialist support exceeding 18 months in some regions, schools are often left to tackle these issues independently. Our programme has demonstrated a tangible improvement, reflected in standardised literacy and Welcomm scores, with children achieving developmental milestones faster than through traditional methods alone.

young girl on stilts being helped by peer at school
Train the Trainer circus programme for schools in Greater Manchester

Additionally, Circus programme complements the UK government’s call for promoting and supporting mental health and wellbeing in schools and colleges, using creative approaches to mental health and well-being. Studies highlight that physically engaging and skill-based activities like circus arts help children manage anxiety, build self-esteem, and improve overall emotional resilience. Teachers have seen firsthand how circus skills are a powerful tool for self-expression, offering students a sense of accomplishment and pride.

The Power of Collaboration: Creating Long-Term Change

Circus Train the Trainer is more than just a school programme; it’s a community initiative. By working alongside schools, local authorities and mental health professionals, Skylight Circus Arts is paving the way for a sustainable model that could be scaled nationally. Our partnerships allow for tailored, flexible approaches to meet specific local needs, ensuring that every child has access to the life-changing benefits of circus arts.

“Our flexible approach allows us to create bespoke delivery options for each school. We work alongside teachers and pupils to create the greatest possible impact.”

Martine Bradford Creative Director

Teachers learning circus skills in Skylight's Train the trainer programme Rochdale

What’s Next for Circus Train the Trainer?

At Skylight Circus Arts, we’re eager to expand our offer and reach even more schools and communities across the North West. With the support of local authorities and funders, we can extend our programme to provide every child with an opportunity to thrive. Our goal is to continue to grow our flexible offer, proving that circus skills do more than entertain, they change lives! For schools and organisations interested in bringing the Circus Train the Trainer programme to their classrooms, we invite you to discuss how we can work together to make a difference. We’re on a mission to show that circus skills can be an essential tool for education, well-being and personal growth.

Contact Skylight Circus Arts today to learn more about how circus is transforming lives and communities. Together, we can create a brighter, more connected future for our children.

Bringing The Fire Back To Skylight Circus Arts

Bringing The Fire Back To Skylight Circus Arts

by | Nov 19, 2024 | News, Performance, Projects

Igniting Passion! Introducing Fireflies

Skylight’s new community fire circus project for our local people. Including an upcoming performance at Ignite Fire Festival.

What’s Fireflies?

Skylight’s exciting new community project supported by Culture Co-op and in collaboration with Travelling Light Circus! This project brings fire spinning circus classes to the local community, currently offering a unique opportunity for 12 local adults, many have no prior experience with fire performance.

Working with visiting Fire Performers and Tutors Travelling Light Circus, our participants have been engaging in weekly sessions at Skylight, immersing themselves in the art of fire spinning. With the Ignite Fire Festival on November 23rd and 24th fast approaching, the Fireflies group are gearing up for their performance, showcasing their newly acquired skills in front of the Rochdale community.

adults practising fire spinning with skylight circus arts
adults practising fire spinning with skylight circus arts
adults practising fire spinning with skylight circus arts

Skylight’s Youth Circus Fire Performance

Skylight’s Teen Youth Circus are also developing their skills, with masterclass’ in club swinging and all about keeping safe when performing with fire from Travelling Light Circus.

They have then been working hard with Skylight staff to create their fire performance choreography to perform alongside our adult community group at the Ignite Fire Festival.

teen practising fire spinning with skylight circus arts
teen practising fire spinning with skylight circus arts

Is this new for Skylight?

This project represents an exciting opportunity to reintroduce fire manipulation and fire performance within our Skylight community, allowing young people and adults to connect with an exhilarating new circus skill.

As Skylight embark on this journey, we are not only excited about the upcoming festival but also about the future of fire workshops for adults and young people in our community.

‘Fireflies’ Project was made possible with support from Rochdale’s Culture Co-op.

 

Upcoming Performances

Ignite Fire Festival – Town Hall Square

Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th November 2024

5 – 8pm Adult Community Group and Skylight Youth Circus Performance

Falinge Winter Markets – Falinge Park Courtyard

Sunday 1st December 2024

3:30pm Skylights Youth Circus

If you would like to speak to us about any upcoming events with Skylight Circus Arts please contact us.

Disclaimer: 

The skills and techniques discussed in this blog post involve fire performance and should only be attempted under the supervision of trained professionals. Do not attempt any of these skills without proper guidance, support, and appropriate safety equipment. Always prioritise safety and seek professional instruction when engaging in fire-related activities.