We bring Upswing’s skilled, professional artists into schools and colleges to make and learn circus together.
If you’ve seen an Upswing show and wondered what it takes to build one, we open that process up to students at every level. Our teaching approach can run from a single afternoon to a multi-week residency, taking the shape of degree-level modules, masterclasses, summer schools or intensive creative residencies depending on what your school, college or department is trying to achieve, whether that’s curriculum support, enrichment, wellbeing or a fully realised production. Every session is led by a professional circus artist, so students get a structured and safe space to push into new territory.
There are also opportunities to participate in activities that surround existing Upswing shows, and even visit the company in rehearsal.
Through a process that encourages students to take on decisions, and to think creatively and originally, we focus on building confidence and communication as much as circus skill, and produce outcomes that carry their own thinking in it.
What we offer
Skills-Based Workshops & Masterclasses
We deliver bespoke workshops for schools, colleges and higher education institutions, ranging from one-off sessions to short projects.
Workshops can include:
• Aerial hoop
• Acrobatics
• Circus theatre
• Creative movement
• Performance-making
• Ensemble building and collaboration
Sessions can be tailored to support curriculum objectives, enrichment programmes, arts awards and student wellbeing.
Creative Residencies & Performance Projects
For organisations looking for a deeper engagement, we create customised residencies ranging from three days to two weeks.
Working alongside Upswing artists, students develop new skills, devise original work and experience the creative process behind professional circus and theatre-making. Each residency is designed around the needs of the organisation and participants.
Recent Projects
Working with the next generation of creatives at Guildhall school of music & drama
In March 2026, Guildhall’s MA Collaborative Performance students spent four weeks turning Angela Carter’s The Bloody Chamber into an promenade circus-theatre show, with Artistic Director Vicki Dela Amedume, Associate Director Nathan Johnston, and artists Jaide Annalise, Shane Hampden and Andrew Feely working alongside them.
Students took on performance and production roles, from staging to sound to running the show on the night. The result, Between Beasts, opened at the Albany in Deptford, with three separate pieces built for an audience moving between them.
The collaboration continues into 2026 and 2027, working with different departments across the school: a week with Guildhall’s technical theatre students in November, developing real production experience on one of our own shows, followed by a project with design students in January, bringing one of our designers in to work alongside them and credit their creative contribution properly. A new production project, in the same shape as Between Beasts, is planned for March 2027.
To find out more about our bespoke learning programmes, resources for teachers and how to include circus in your lessons, contact info@upswing.org.uk
TESTIMONIES
“The students are still on a high from the project – a huge success. It was fantastic to see the way you pulled the group together and developed such a good rapport in a short space of time.”
Ian Horgan, Senior Assistant Headteacher, Shenley Academy
“The masterclass was a fantastic opportunity for our BTEC students to experience an exciting medium that combines dance, circus skills, choreography and fitness. The students really enjoyed the sessions and much of what they learned can now be used in their future performances.”
Charlotte Woods, Dance Lecturer, Richmond Upon Thames College
“Upswing is a fantastic company to be involved with and their education work is first class. I would definitely recommend the company to other educational establishments.”
Robert Nicholson, Teacher of Dance, New Vic College
“Upswing really brought the group together to work as an ensemble and create something amazing. They brought out the best in them and allowed them to lead the direction of the performance they were making, while developing their eye for what works.”
Gemma Rowan, Associate Producer, The Albany
PAST PARTNERSHIPS
Buckinghamshire New University, Richmond Upon Thames College, Rose Bruford College, St Paul’s School, Haringey Sixth Form Centre, University of Hertfordshire, WAC Arts, Virtual School for Children, New Vic College, National Centre for Circus Arts National Centre for Circus Arts, The Albany Deptford, Shenley Academy
