Sometimes statistics appear which leave you gasping. So it was when I read the news that 18 per cent of schools now offer “circus skills” as a school sport.

 Something wrong, surely? But the report on sports provision in schools published by the Department for Children, Schools and Families does indeed appear to be saying just that. (See page 24.) 
 
Does this mean juggling, high-wire walking, riding bareback, and swinging from trapezes? Breathing fire? Swallowing swords? Given health’n safety, I doubt it. Does it involve cracking a whip at a couple of zebras, or sticking your head in a lion’s mouth? It’s a while since I attended a circus so these acts may no longer form the basis of life under the Big Top.
 
If almost a fifth of British schoolchildren are being taught circus skills, can we look forward to a rebirth of this almost-extinct form of entertainment? I fear not.
 
What I suspect may be going on is that schools are calling in companies that specialise in organising “fun days” around the theme of the circus – quite a few advertise this service on the internet - and are adding these odd days to the DCSF questionnaire to make their commitment to sport look more persuasive.
 
I almost forgot – a third of schools also offer cheerleading. Pity there aren’t any Olympic medals (yet) in either of these disciplines. They’re no sillier than synchronised swimming.