We are a school for children with emotional and behaviour difficulties, our children are not always easy to engage. Paul Hawkins was mavellous with them. They enjoyed every minute of the day and gained so much, especially in confidence. The way he developed their skills was excellent. The pace of each activity was just right for each group.
It was the childrens favourite activity in a busy week. Thank you.

Can you please pass on our thanks to Paul for the tremendous work he did with our children. They had a brilliant time and this was largely down to Paul's excellent management of them. The Structure of the sessions was excellent. The children were on task all the time and he dealt with them with extreme sensitivity.
All our staff were highly impressed - and that's not easy! They're a pretty cynical lot!
Once again, our thanks to Paul, and yourself for making all the arrangements.- Bev Cheal

Thank you so much for the great and entertaining workshop you did here in Avening. Didn't they all love it and weren't they great. Look forward to the next encounter. Liz

We were amazed at some of the children and the abilities that Steve encouraged out of them. They were all really keen to join in and try everything.
Steve & Jackie were also so sensitive to the children with special needs, enabling them also to achieve so well.- Liz Bury

Responses from children:-
"The people keep you safe, they hold you up and help you."
"I was nervous on the tightrope but they told me I could do it and i did."
"The lady was beautiful and i loved everything."
"It was fantastic fun."
"Circus skills was my best ever day."- Wendy Dedman, Headteacher

“Surpassed our expectations! Children gained so much from the experience – it was wonderful to watch the dogged determination of children as they practised and practised skills they had been taught until they accomplished them. We, as teachers, were surprised by the achievements of the children – you could see some children’s self-confidence growing as they delighted in the skills they had mastered. We were all reduced to tears by one little boy, who has profound multiple physical and mental disabilities, he managed to walk the tightrope – raise his leg and wave – to the consternation of us all. Thank you for an amazing two days, a wonderful way to end the term, on an absolute high!”
(2002) “Thank you again for two wonderful days of workshops. Fantastic – yet again we’ve seen children’s self-esteem being given a great boost. All children learnt a new skill and were eager to demonstrate it to any willing audience. A wonderful way to end the school year!”

(2004) “My last visit from Steve – as I retire. But I have booked for the new head as I am sure he/she will appreciate the value of circus skills. Circus Skills provide so much support for children – in terms of self-esteem, confidence, developing physical skills. Steve is wonderful at encouraging children to’ have a go’ and then taking them on in gradual steps to more advanced work. The children’s sense of achievement is wonderful to see when they gain mastery of a new skill. Circus Skills is something in which all children can be involved – there are no barriers – just success. Thanks, Steve, for the many years of pleasure you have given the children at Benhall and for your unfailing commitment to children.
- Mrs A. Fry, Headteacher

Excellent!!!- Frances Lark, Headteacher

Really pleased - the children all really enjoyed it.- Nick Shepherd

Dear Steve
I would just like to thank Shooting Stars and especially Jebb for your help with the Fieldmice Reunion in Quedgeley. Jebb was totally fantastic and coped with entertaining all our children from age 3 to 11. He worked exceedingly hard and the congratulations and thanks we have received from parents after the event was totally down to him. All the children thoroughly enjoyed themselves and the teachers of both schools said it was all that the children could talk about the following day.
Thank you so much for making this a day the children will remember.
Karen Wade
For and on behalf of the Fieldcourt Fieldmice Committee- Karen Wade

“Fantastic fun! Please can we book a 2 day period next year?”- Felicity Blades, Headteacher

Excellent!- Louise Burridge, Administrator

The workshop was brilliant. The children were thoroughly engaged and were engrossed in totally new experiences! Our woorkshop leader was encouraging and enthusiastic and shared a lot of praise with us, even when we found it tricky! My only regret?...... that we didn't have shooting stars for a whole day each, per class. Thank you- Sharon Williams

The workshop was brilliant. The children were thoroughly engaged and were engrossed in totally new experiences! Our workshop leader was encouraging and enthusiastic and shared a lot of praise with us, even when we found it tricky! My only regret?.....that we did not have Shooting stars for a whole day each, per class.
Thank you!!- Sharon Williams

“The overwhelming response from everyone involved in the day was that it was ‘fantastic’. Children, staff, governors, parents, the Bishop & M.P. all had a great time. The leaders are sensitive to children’s particular needs – excellent. Lots of laughing, learning of new skills and sheer enjoyment. Thanks again.- Sally McMurray, Acting Headteacher

Thank you for providing hours of fun. Your instructor was extremely patient and worked alongside the pupils at their pace. Many children had the chance to try out and develop skills they'd only seen from the comfort of their chair. The parents thoroughly enjoyed the performance - it was especially lovely to those children achieve sucess who often don't for a variety of reasons.- Sharon Stratford

I just wanted to say thank you for helping me to host a fantastic circus skills workshop. Your son Paul, our instructor, was BRILLIANT - very patient, kind, skilled and even had a sense of humour too (very important with some of the little treasures he was teaching!)
Please pass on my thanks again to him. I will definitely be trying to secure some more funding for the current group I teach ready for another workshop in the Autumn. The children all had a brilliant time and many left with significant skills they had begun only that day.- Sharon Stratford

Been using Shooting Stars for 7 years - enough said really.
Brings something to our range of extra-curricular which is diiferent and is always popular with the children.
Steve, Jackie and Paul are all excellent both in what they do and how they do it!- Martin Latham, Headteacher

A brilliant experiance and great to see unexpected stars emerge with these unique skills.- Mr M. Latham, Head Teacher

“One parent commented on your natural empathy with the children – seconded by the staff. Very positive comments from children and parents. Some parents commented that children had talked of nothing else. Thank you very much! It was a great couple of days.” - Diana Boulton, Headteacher

The activties were great fun within the children's group. They had a wonderful time. Its just a shame the session wasnt longer!
The instructor was very friendly and excellent with the children. The class all participated enthusiastically and seemed to get a lot out of the session.- St Stphen's Infant School

Once again the chidlren had a great time. It was good to meet two new trainers who were both superb with the children. We dod miss the blue gaint globe / ball this year! Thank you again. - CHRIS CHAMBERLAIN, Headteacher

“Our children have gained a great deal from their time spent with the “Shooting Stars Circus Skills” team. Not only does the experience broaden the children’s horizons and create a more diverse curriculum but the children become more self-aware and their coordination develops. Children are sometimes surprised at their own skills. During the two days it so often the children you would least expect who really show a natural talent for circus skills.
We found that the circus skills linked closely with our own work focusing on ‘Thinking Skills’, especially brain gym. Circus skills is one of those activities that give both sides of the brain a chance to work. Children also enjoy and learn about performing in front of an audience. The whole event can be a superb stimulus for other curriculum areas. Children are often keen to write about Circus Skills work! The children’s usual comment at the end is “When will Steve & Jackie be coming again?”
- Mr Chamberlain, Headteacher

Excellent!!- Lesley Marriott, Headteacher

Many thanks for another set of great workshops.- Sally Hammond, Teacher

Sue Oldham (2001) “I cannot overdo the praise for this day! The children had a fantastic time, and were able to experience activities which were totally new and exciting. It will be a day for them to remember for a long time. Thank you!”
Mrs N. Wooltorton Headteacher (2002) “The opportunity for a whole school event gives every child the chance to do something well. Many children experienced success in areas that they had never before succeeded in. We think this type of experience is essential for children.”
2 & 3/3/05 The children were enthusiastic participants. The children reall got a lot out of it. It was wonderful to see the children's concentration as they practised their new skills! Thank you for your attention to behaviour expectations too.- Mrs N. Wooltorton, Headteacher

A fabulous day, children and staff all had a good time. Many thanks.- Judy Powell, Teacher