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Ofsted has been incorporating the concept of "cultural capital" into its inspections, particularly in the early years, to assess how well schools and early years settings are equipping children for their future success and preparing them to be informed and engaged citizens. These cultural resources will help you to support this across your school.

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Print these out A4 or A3 and laminate them to use in your child initiated learning zones.

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Explore these cultural questions whilst developing oracy skills.

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Would You Rather. Discussion and Oracy Development

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February 14th marks the opening of the Kings Lynn Mart and the start of the Showmen's season. People can come and enjoy the music, lights and laughter on the rides.

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Kings Lynn Mart returns on Valentines day Friday 14th February 2025 with the Mayors’s official opening at midday. Traditionally the opening to the travelling season, King’s […]

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Ash Sheehan explores the history and culture of Showman homes. Video Part 3 has Ash singing and playing the guitar.

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Ash Sheehan: The man behind the music - by Johnny P Collins

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Take a look at this 10th Generation Circus Act!

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By John Devine & Emma Baugh

A boy who has become a tenth-generation circus act and fifth clown to tour with his family has spoken of his joy at carrying on the "way of life".

Luke Austin is part of Circus Ginnett - first founded in the 19th Century and based in Tilney St Lawrence, Norfolk.

As part of his act, he has revived the "booze-a-phone" - an instrument first played by his great-great-grandfather Albert "Bandbox" Austin, born in 1872.

The 17-year-old said it was "wonderful to hear the crowd laughing".

"My friends think it's cool to travel around the country in a caravan and perform in so many different places," he said.

Circus Ginnett began with Jean Pierre Ginnett (1798-1861), who was captured as part of the French cavalry during the Napoleonic wars and shipped to England, where he settled and used his horsemanship skills to form a circus.

Between 1890 and 1930 it became one of the biggest circuses in the country, but the company folded in the 1940s and family performers joined other big tops.

In 1989, Luke's grandfather, Mike Austin, a man with a long pedigree in the circus and whose grandmother Adelaide Ginnett married "Bandbox" Austin, revived the family name.

Luke grew up in Wiltshire with his mother and visited his father Patrick Austin, the company's present owner, at weekends and school holidays.

Last year, after leaving school, he started messing about with old props at the company's headquarters between Wisbech and King's Lynn, and got the performing bug.

He came up with routines and his father suggested he tried his skills in front of an audience.

"I was a little nervous at first, but have now relaxed. It is wonderful to hear the crowd laughing," he said.

Clowning around

Luke dresses as a clown and plays the "booze-a-phone", which is a series of bottles hung from a length of wood and tuned by filling each bottle with varying amounts of water.

It is then played like a xylophone, with Luke using the same beaters as his forbear.

"It is amazing to be holding the very same beaters that my great-great-grandfather used over 100 years ago. One of them is heavily taped up, but I would never replace them," he said.

Luke's grandfather, 84-year-old Mike Austin, is a descendent of the Ginnett family, and has run and worked in circuses.

He said: "It was emotional to see Luke playing an instrument that has such a history for me.

"My father Len 'Spider' Austin and my grandfather Albert were clowns, the latter dubbed 'Bandbox', who performed for Queen Victoria in Scotland in 1893."

Patrick Austin, 47, said he was proud his son was "bringing new life to the long established business".

Circus Ginnett can be seen at Bretton Park in Peterborough until 14 April, before moving on to Market Harborough and Huntingdon.

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Tenth-generation Circus Ginnett act thrilled by laughing crowd

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"My friends think it's cool to travel around the country and perform," says 17-year-old Luke Austin.

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We have put together a selection of books that will help you to explore the history of the fairground. Schools and education settings are able to borrow the box for projects within their curriculum.

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Special thanks to all the people who have helped us create these resources:

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Special thanks to all the people who have helped us create these resources:

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Futures for Fairgrounds: Home - Future 4 Fairgrounds

Norwich Castle Museum: Norwich Castle - Norfolk Museums

Dingles Fairground Heritage Trust: Fairground Heritage Trust– Our aim is to preserve historic fairground equipment, imagery and memorabilia for future generations. (fairground-heritage.org.uk)

Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse: Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse - Norfolk Museums

Andrew Moore at National Fairground and Circus Archive, Sheffield University: National Fairground and Circus Archive - The University of Sheffield

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Pablo Fanque Fact File - Victorian Britain - Shorter Version

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Instructions - Large (Showman) Trailer - Hard Level

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Showmen's homes are moving vehicles, why not use them in your DT projects? Or explore the fairground rides and how they move?

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Showmen's homes are moving vehicles, why not use them in your DT projects? Or explore the fairground rides and how they move?

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Fairground Artwork - Edwin Hall and Sid Howell

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Black History Month - Pablo Fanque KS1/2

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Black History Month - Pablo Fanque KS1/2

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Black History Month - Pablo Fanque KS1+2

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Black History Month is in October - Celebrate a Norwich born Circus Showman.

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Black History Month is in October - Celebrate a Norwich born Circus Showman.

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September is World Funfair Month. Use these resources to help you celebrate.

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September is World Funfair Month. Use these resources to help you celebrate.

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This section includes EYFS, KS1/2 and 3 materials

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This section includes EYFS, KS1/2 and 3 materials

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These resources have been made and are owned by Norfolk County Council. They are free to download and use. Resources must not be altered when used in schools. We welcome any feedback regarding use and impact of the resources in your school or education setting.

Please email this to:
claire.tattersall@norfolk.gov.uk