Learning is magic at Chilton Primary School in Ramsgate – as amazed pupils found out first hand.

Year 6 pupils studying a text about life in a circus tent and beyond were enchanted when teacher Leon Oxley added an extra dimension to their English classwork by performing a circus-style magic show.

With class members as his helpers, Mr Oxley performed a series of tricks that included making water disappear and re-joining two ends of a severed length of rope in front of the audience.

The performance enriched the year group’s study of the story Leon and the Place Between by Angela McAllister in which a young boy, wanting to prove to his brothers and sister that magic really exists, volunteers to be in a magic show and gets transported to a mysterious world.

Pupils explored the book’s images and spent time describing the inside and outside of the circus tent, as well as using their artistic skills to create colourful images of the big top.

Deputy Head of School Hannah Cheshire said: “The children were bubbling with excitement when they were surprised with a magical performance from our resident magician, Year 5 teacher Mr Oxley.

“He enthralled them with his magic tricks and it added an extra dimension to the story they have been enjoying.

“As part of the home learning the group will be encouraged to research their own tricks and then stage them for classmates which will help them enhance their communication and performance skills.

“At Chilton reading really is the heart of our curriculum. It opens up excited new worlds and experiences for the children and develops not only English learning, but cross curricular learning across our whole curriculum.

“Centring our learning around excellent English texts ensures memorable life-long learning for all our children.”

Chilton Primary is part of the Viking Academy trust with partner schools Ramsgate Arts Primary and Upton Junior.