Circusschule Sternchen – ESHV Hatten

Circusschule Sternchen is a circus school for children and teenagers located in Sandkrug, in the municipality of Hatten in Lower Saxony. It is one of the main projects of the association ESHV – engagiert und sozial in Hatten eV , a local non-profit association involved in youth, education, sport, culture and social life.

The circus school was created in 2005 with an initial group for children. The project has gradually developed and now welcomes several dozen children and teenagers divided into three groups corresponding to different ages and skill levels.

An inclusive pedagogy

Circusschule Sternchen develops an inclusive approach to circus pedagogy. The stated principle is that everyone should be able to participate, receive individual support, and contribute to the group according to their own abilities.

The aim is therefore not to select children based on their physical performance. On the contrary, the school wants to allow them to experience different disciplines without pressure related to results and to gradually discover their own talents.

The activities combine circus techniques with other art forms such as theatre, music, movement and dance. This approach makes it possible to create shows that go beyond a simple succession of technical acts to take the form of true circus-theatre creations .

The disciplines practiced

Acrobatics plays an important role in training. Children and teenagers practice acrobatics in pairs and groups, gradually developing their coordination, strength, trust in their partners, and ability to collectively create figures.

Juggling is also widely represented. Participants can experiment with different objects and manipulation techniques, from initial discoveries to more advanced practices as young people gradually choose to specialize.

Balance training is another important focus. Students can practice activities such as tightrope walking, ball balancing, and unicycling. These activities help develop concentration, coordination, and body control.

The school also offers aerial disciplines . Young people can discover the trapeze, aerial silks and aerial hoop, then further develop these practices according to their age and level.

Clowning and theatre complement technical learning. Students are encouraged to interpret characters, develop their stage presence and reflect on how a circus technique can be integrated into a story or artistic creation.

The groups

The Sternchen

The youngest children start in the " Sternchen " group. This group welcomes primary school-aged children and emphasizes a playful introduction to different circus techniques.

The Sternchen children work on theatre, acrobatics, tightrope walking, ball balancing, unicycling, and basic juggling techniques. They also begin to create group acts and gain their first experience performing in front of an audience.

The Sternschnuppen

The " Sternschnuppen " group is the next step. Here, children refine the techniques they have already acquired, discover new disciplines, and gradually begin to choose the practices they wish to pursue further.

Theatrical work also takes on greater importance among the Sternschnuppen. Participants can assume more important roles in the shows and begin to take part in the organization and construction of the acts.

The Terns

The most experienced teenagers join the " Sterne " group. This group is aimed particularly at young people from around 14 years old and places more emphasis on autonomy .

Participants gradually learn to organize their own training and to support each other. The sessions also include more targeted work on warm-up, physical preparation, and theater.

At this level, young people can specialize in certain disciplines and work with school officials to create acts built around the theme of the show being prepared.

Collective creation

Collective creation is indeed one of the essential characteristics of Circusschule Sternchen. The children and teenagers are not only performers: they participate in the development of the acts and shows.

This responsibility can also extend to aspects that go beyond circus practice itself. Costumes, music, communication, program organization, and performance flow can be discussed and prepared collectively with the young people.

Working in groups allows students to develop important social skills. The school places particular emphasis on acceptance of others, tolerance, mutual encouragement, trust, and each individual's ability to contribute to a collective project.

The shows

The shows are the visible culmination of this work. Circusschule Sternchen develops large-scale circus-theatre productions in which ground and aerial acrobatics, juggling, balancing, dance, theatre, music and light are combined around a common theme.

In 2026 , for example, the school presented " Verbindungen ," a production dedicated to relationships, communication, and friendship. All three of the school's groups participated in this production, bringing together approximately 60 children and teenagers on stage.

Regular training sessions take place on Friday afternoons and early evenings . The three groups have time adapted to their age and level while participating in the same overall school project.

A cultural project rooted in the region

Circusschule Sternchen is finally part of a broader cultural dynamic supported by ESHV . The association participates in particular in the development of cultural events and projects around contemporary circus in the Hatten region and the Landkreis Oldenburg district.

After more than twenty years in existence , Circusschule Sternchen has become a sustainable youth circus project in Hatten. Its approach combines technical training, artistic expression, inclusive pedagogy, autonomy, and collective creation so that every child or teenager can find their place in the circus.