“The circus instructor had an easy, friendly personality which helped when demonstrating circus skills. Good rapport with children.”- Shirley Tutton

You provided a well balanced and constructive experience. All children had the opportunity to develop their own skills and you maintained a controlled but supportive learning environment. Most of all we had FUN!!- Pat Watson, Head of House/KS2 Progress Manager

“We have lots of visitors to our school but Steve is a definite favourite. It is wonderful to watch all our children respond to him and the wide range of activities that he provides. I would recommend him unreservedly – and Ofsted loved him too!” - Mrs L. Tamplin, Headteacher

“Very impressed with the speed with which children were performing tricks with balancing peacock feathers. The little ones loved walking tightrope.”- Mrs H. Bainbridge, Headteacher

“A Lovely fun packed day. Thank you for a wonderful day! The children are pestering me & asking when you will be back – soon hopefully.” - Cheryl Jones, Teacher

All really enjoyed the circus skills workshop. Everyone would like to do them yearly! the children found: Good choice of equipment, Felt very safe, teacher was good and helpful and taught lots of new things, learnt a lot and really interesting! the children made the following comments; "Really, really good!" "Brilliant." "Ace." "Really really liked it." "excellent!" "Really good." "Got over stage fright." "superb!" - Carole Gregory

"I liked him showing us the equipment. I enjoyed the free time where we could try other things"
"I would have liked to have chosen what i did in the workshops instead of being given a task"
"I am really plaesed with myself, i can do things i could not do before like spinning a plate"
"I hope we can do it agin!"- Carole Gregory

This was an excellent day. The children were absorbed in the activities and were totally engaged, demonstrating perserverance and determination to succeed.
Parents commented that the children had come home enthusiastically letting them know about the workshops and how much they would like to do it again.- Carole Gregory

“Positive feedback, everyone enjoyed themselves. Nice to have learnt new tricks. Thanks very much.”- Alison Bointon

Excellent, very enthusiastic & motivated- Michelle Humphries, Head Teacher

Alison Brotherstol (2003)“Excellent two days, the pupils really enjoyed themselves and learnt new skills. Thanks very much.
Rozanne Brookes (Sports Technician DSHS) (2004) “On behalf of all the staff and students at DSHS I would like to thank Paul Hawkins (instructor) for two brilliant days of circus skill. It was enjoyed by all.”
2005 Excellent!!!!!!!
- Rozanne Brookes, Sports Technician

very good!- Alan Talbot

Excellent! The level of pride in their achievement was wonderful to see.- T. Kilgallon, Nursery Teacher

Really enjoyable. The activities were very suitable. It was a brilliant end to our activities week. The children really enjoyed all the workshops and so did the staff.- Mrs Mary Lewis

"Children are still coming up to say how much they enjoyed the day especially the circus skills. Teaching staff and helpers have mentioned they are looking forward to your next visit! Parents have come to ask for contact number."- Mrs Mary Lewis

An absolutely fabulous day! The students got so much out of the variety of activities and were buzzing with their new talents. Thank you very much!- Kerry Venskus - 01562 886213

An excellent range of equipment provided, and the instructor (Paul), was very good and patient with the children and adults alike!
A brilliant fun day, with positive feedback from everyone who attended our event.- Davina Bird, PTA

“Excellent!! One 11 year old boy said ‘The best school day I’ve ever had!’”- Mary Flynn

An excellent week. Thank you. We have received such positive feedback from parents. Thank you!!- Pam Townsend, Headteacher

Children loved all of the activities and were trying them out days later in the playground - as we have the plates as a play activity.
Staff enjoyed watching and participated and commented on the way less able children were encouraged to take part in spite of disablities.
Thanks.- Caroline Hicks

“Everything was brilliant – Parents “COMPLAINED” that the pupils wouldn’t stop talking about it!”- Jackie Armstrong, Headteacher

The whole week was a very enjoyable, worthwhile and valuable learning experience for everyone involved . We will definitely be booking Shooting Stars again. Thank you very much- Karen Williams, Headteacher

Wonderful! We were delighted to see how well all the children responded to the circus skills. Parents have commented that the children have talked about it for days. Children who find other aspects of school more challenging often gained in self-esteem through the activities. Teachers suggest that they wear name badges so Steve & Jackie can call them by their names. Perhaps Steve could develop a stopping procedure e.g. hand clap etc. A great week thank you. If we can fund it we hope to do another week next year.- Sue Curphey, Headteacher

Every child whatever their ability were able to succeed. More time to actually practice using equipment would have been good. It was a shame only one tutor was available which meant certain activities couldn't be done. Very positive feedback from parents anc children.- Suzette Brunsdon - 01905 454430

What a good workshop! The children loved it. They were all able to improve their skills and try out new skills/activities. All the children involved had a fabulous time, and so did the adults. One of the teachers in particular was not looking forward to having a go at things - and she was the one who enjoyed it most! Thanks again for a great day.- Mrs Jayne Edney, Year 2 Team Leader

“The kids all loved it….Personally I thought it was great and will happily recommend you to anyone”- Mrs Angela Silk, PTA

Children were engaged and interested all day - they loved it. Parents really impressed. Teachers enthusiastic.- Charlotte Davies

“Excellent. I have recommended you to the person responsible for organising activities week next year.”- Natalie Walters

'I thought it was great, I didnt think I would be able to juggle at all' - Harry Carr. Harry gave a creditable performance in our afternoon show which impressed his parents too.
An excellent days teaching of new skills at a level that all children were able to achieve.
It is always a pleasure to work with Jackie and Steve who are keen for the children to achieve.
Overall opinion of year 5: 'we wish we could do circus skills everyday!'- Sue Howitt, Teacher

Alan Burgess Headteacher 2003 “It was great! Anyone who can get me on a tightrope has to be a miracle worker! The children were all absorbed in the activities throughout. You drew parent helpers into supervision with ease. It was wonderful to see the pupils who sometimes struggle in a classroom achieving success. I have it in mind to review our lunch time arrangements for children and may have a lunchtime ‘circus’ area.”

Sue Howitt 2004 “Excellent. I had a few concerns about pulling the year group together for a performance but we did get thereand the performance went great. Paul (instructor) again was excellent with both children and staff – a pleasure to work with. I would like to book again for next year 2005. I will be in touch with possible dates.”
2005 Sue Howitt: A fantastic week for all involved. All excellent work - children thoroughly enjoyed their day and the performance. A really worthwhile week - parent helpers thoroughly enjoyed their sessions too! Look forward to seeing you again next year.
- Alan Burgess, Headteacher

The children loved it, staff were really enthusiastic too. Everyone enjoyed the activities and contributed to a really great day. we will definatly use shooting stars agian.- Helen Bryant

“The pupils all participated fully and really enjoyed the whole experience.- Jane Pitkeathly

“Excellent! A great day, fun for everyone!- Catherine Roberts

Excellent!!!!!!!- Mrs A Deakin, Headteacher

A fantastic time was had by all our children- Clare Julian, chair of pta

An excellent, very worthwhile experience for all children. We're all looking forward to next year already.

A fantastic week. The children really enjoyed it. Thank you.

Excellent activities. Children were engrossed with the circus skills and this in turn enthused them during the week in the classroom. It gave children the opportunity to excel in areas that they normally wouldn't have the opportunity to do in, contributing to their self-esteem.

We have had 3 visits from Shooting Stars now and it is wonderful how confident some of the children have become. The activity workshops have developed and it was lovely to see children succeed, what they thought, at the beginning, would be impossible.

Children thoroughly enjoyed the experience - more than one session would have been good.- Angela Deakin, Head Teacher

Great fun for all!- Mr Steve Mills

All children, staff and audience really enjoyed the week and the end performance, the pupils always look forward to the next year!- Steve Mills, Teacher

“Working with year 9 students, a one day course teaching circus skills and also running an after school club for all years has encouraged participation from both girls and boys. I would have no hesitation in recommending Shooting Stars Circus Skills”.- Ms Diane McGee

A well thought out workshop which held the attention of a diverse group of children and young people for the whole day!- Caroline Palethorpe

Third visit from you, new experiences eg: Flower Sticks, very positive response from all children.- Emma French

17/12/03 “A superb day in which all children and teachers had great fun. The workshop staff, Steve & Jackie, were very approachable and developed good relationship with staff and children. It was fascinating to see Steve perform during the safety session and we felt as though we had had a performance during that time. We only wish we had been able to have more time and would consider organising similar days/weeks in the future. Thanks for a great day”.
17/12/04 Another great day enjoyed by everyone. Some children were pleased to develop skills from the previous year and others enjoyed the challenge of new activities. Thankyou once again - it was a great end to our term.- Lisa Kent-Davies

Very good.- Mr Paul Cockram

An amazingly fun and engaging workshop, short snappy instructions ensured kids were on task & engaged from start to finish. Loads of equipment meant all children were able to participate.- Paul Cockram

“An excellent session keeping interest and enthusiasm throughout. Enough challenge for most able – plenty for less able to succeed at. Great day! Many thanks!”- Mr Paul Cockram

“An enjoyable experience for all. Pupils and staff!- Mr Bill Heptinstall