The circus descended on a Rickmansworth school today (January 11) as pupils clowned about to raise money for a children’s charity.

The event at Royal Masonic School was in aid of Clowns in the Sky, a charity dedicated to funding research and treatment for children with brain cancer.

Staff and pupils dressed as clowns entertained each other by telling jokes, conjuring tricks and squirting water from flowers on their lapels.

The clowning around was followed by a music session hosted by other students.

Angela Brown, deputy head of Cadogan House, said: "It was wonderful to see the effort so many families made in order to enable their daughters to participate in this worthwhile charity event.

"It has been a colourful, positive start to the new school term that left everyone smiling."