Academia NOAR – Academia de Circo – Sintra

Academia NOAR is a new circus school located in Sintra, in the Lisbon metropolitan area of Portugal.

The academy was created in 2024 by Inês Leitão and Nádia Dantas , two teachers with complementary backgrounds in circus, gymnastics, sport and education.

The school welcomes children from the age of three , teenagers, young adults and adults.

Its teaching is organized around several pathways allowing progress according to age and chosen disciplines .

The Mini Circus

The Mini Circo is designed for children aged 3 to 6 years .

These courses offer a first introduction to circus arts adapted to the development of the youngest children.

Movement, coordination, motor skills and body awareness play an important role in this initial approach.

Courses for children aged 7 and up

From the age of 7 , children can continue their learning in more specialized courses.

Circo no Chão

The Circo no Chão program is dedicated to acrobatic work on the ground.

The exercises allow you to gradually develop strength , flexibility and coordination .

Confidence and body control are also among the learning objectives.

The pedagogy seeks to develop autonomy and creativity alongside physical abilities.

Circo no Ar

The Circo no Ar program is dedicated to aerial disciplines.

It is offered to children and teenagers aged 7 to 15 .

The exercises help develop strength, coordination and flexibility while discovering suspension work.

Cooperation and teamwork are among the skills developed during the sessions.

The school also seeks to strengthen the confidence, perseverance and self-esteem of its practitioners.

Aerial acrobatics for ages 16 and up

From the age of 16 , young people can join aerial acrobatics courses designed for teenagers and adults.

These courses are accessible to different levels of experience.

The work combines technical learning , physical preparation and artistic expression .

Creativity plays an important role in this approach.

Students are encouraged to progress at their own pace.

The team adapts the exercises according to the level and abilities of each participant.

This individualization constitutes one of the pedagogical principles advocated by the academy.

An environment open to all

NOAR thus seeks to create an environment in which beginners and more experienced practitioners can progress in good conditions.

The collective dimension remains important, however.

The school aims to create a welcoming community in which participants can support each other and share their progress.

Course organization

Regular classes are offered several days a week.

This frequency allows students who wish to do so to practice once, twice or three times a week .

Young people and adults practicing aerial disciplines can also attend up to four weekly sessions .

The academic year follows a long calendar running from September to July .

The academy also offers trial classes allowing people to discover the different activities before a regular registration.

The founders

The training of its founders contributes significantly to the educational identity of the project.

Inês Leitão

Inês Leitão has a university degree in physical education and school sport, with a specialization in gymnastics.

Her background also includes several years of work with children and experience in the field of psychosocial rehabilitation.

She began practicing circus arts in 2017 before teaching aerial acrobatics for several years.

Nádia Dantas

Nádia Dantas, for her part, has a background combining acrobatic gymnastics, circus and live performance.

She joined Chapitô after her compulsory schooling and underwent three years of training there.

There she developed her skills in body expression as well as in circus and performance techniques.

His background also includes dance, clowning, and theatre.

She also has experience teaching gymnastics and aerial acrobatics.

A comprehensive pedagogical approach

These two programs allow NOAR to combine a sporting approach, pedagogy and circus arts.

The academy pays particular attention to the physical development of students but also to their personal progress.

Confidence , autonomy , perseverance and creativity are among the objectives stated in the various courses.

NOAR thus constitutes a local school allowing children to discover the circus from early childhood and then continue towards ground acrobatics or aerial disciplines.

Teenagers and adults can also develop a regular and progressive practice throughout the year.