BTEC in
Performing Arts Practice
(Circus Skills Courses)
Applications now open
Applications for Circus Skills Courses are now open for September 2026
Join our Circus Skills Courses at the East Sussex School of Circus Arts (ESSCA) – meet like-minded students from London and across the UK.
ESSCA is re-opening its red doors to a select group of passionate and enthusiastic individuals, who are hardworking, dedicated and want to further develop their skills on our circus skills courses to become a circus professional.
Our comprehensive circus skills courses are carefully designed to develop, challenge and prepare students for a circus industry and get them set up for further education in the circus arts field.
The circus skills courses focus particularly on Circus Styles and Theatre, Creating a Performance, Performing for an Audience (classes, workshops) and Preparing for Circus (performances, rehearsals, critical reflection).
Within the 36 weeks of intensive training, students will undergo a fitness regime, look at specialities, planning a career and teaching. There may also be additional work experience to help build your CV.
The final showcase of the circus skills courses will be evaluated by a professional director, choreographer, casting directors, circus agencies, and sometimes guest celebrities.
At the end of the BTEC circus skills course, each student will be presented with an accredited certificate (Diploma) in Circus and Performing Arts and a set of professional photos and a professional video filmed on their final showcase day.
Academic Year Dates
3rd September 2026 – 21st July 2027
What will you study?
Our Circus Skills Courses include:
Circus Styles
- Manipulation
- Equilibristic
- Juggling
- Aerials
- Acrobatics
Speciality
- Body Conditioning
- Flexibility
- Partner Acrobatics
- Handstands
- Hand Balancing on Cannes
- Balancing Chair
Planning a Career
- Planning a Career
- Performing in Context
- Variety Performance
- Individual Solo
Teaching
- Leading a Class
- Leading a Workshop
- Safety and Rigging
Theatre
- Traditional theatre technique
- Physical Theatre & Storytelling
- Clowning
- Walkabout in Character
Prospectus for Circus Skills Courses 2026/2027
If you want to study circus skills courses with physical theatre and develop as a circus performer, then look no further than the East Sussex School of Circus Arts and our full-time course that runs from Monday – Thursday.
Based in Hailsham, East Sussex near the Eastbourne coastline and the buzzing city of Brighton – this area is famous for its thriving performance industry and links to the London and global circus and theatre community.
We have selected teachers for our circus skills courses based on their extensive professional experience and additional qualifications, to ensure that all students are in good hands.
It is one of our core educational beliefs that minds and personalities need developing just as much as physical skills. That is why we nurture students on our circus skills courses to take an imaginative and forward-thinking approach to training.
We aim to equip students on our circus skills courses with the ability to create their own blend of circus and theatre for the future, not just what they need for the existing artistic environment.
We encourage our students across all circus skills courses to devise work that challenges and inspires, in the hope they will discover the fullness of their physical, emotional and creative potential.