THE magic of the circus is helping Oxford’s education bosses tackle poor literacy among children.

Eluned Charnley, 29, has been visiting East Oxford Primary School once a week to help pupils devise a script about the rainforest using circus skills.

It is part of the Tale Trail literacy project which uses artists to improve literacy in city schools following years of under performance in Key Stage 2 tests.

The East Oxford freelance performer developed an interest in circus skills via her childhood love of dance and admits she would run away to join a circus.

She said: “It’s engaging and gets people involved with theatre who might not have thought of it.”

Oxford Academy, Cheney School and Sandhills Community and Wood Farm primary schools took part. Oxford City Council is also subsidising £10 circus sessions with Miss Charnley on January 20 and 21 for six to 12-year-olds from OX1 to OX4 postcodes.