AUCHINLECK pupils have been left dangling from great heights to learn how to cope with their mental health.

Youngsters stepped outside of the classroom and into harnesses as they learned how to express their feelings through performance art.

It comes as the National Theatre of Scotland has launched their ‘Like Flying’ project teaching students how to perform acrobatics, gymnastics, juggling, acting, and more as part of the innovative.

Aerial Edge, Glasgow’s Circus School, are working on the project as the East Ayrshire focused creative practitioners and have started working in Auchinleck Academy.

Led by National Theatre of Scotland Artist in Residence Nic Green, with movement direction from All or Nothing Aerial Dance Theatre, Like Flying takes the form of a promenade performance through the school corridors and multiple spaces both indoors and out.

Weaving through a surreal and dream-like curriculum, young people educate adults in this mirror-image world where roles are reversed, power is flipped and authority is inverted. Pupils from S2 and S3 (Auchinleck Academy) have been trained in aerial performance methods leading up to these public performances including, hoop, aerial cocoon and harness work.

The young people will present a number of encounters using these forms, as audiences make their way through the corridors of a school after hours.

Billy Watson, Chief Executive of SAMH said: “SAMH is delighted to be working with The National Theatre of Scotland and other partners on this project, which will use theatre performance to teach young people about anxiety. It’s vital that young people learn about mental health and wellbeing and how to keep themselves well. SAMH is taking action by charitably funding an extensive programme of activity in schools, in colleges, and with specialist mental health teams – all aiming to help young people and the adults in their lives. Like Flying is an important part of this, and we’re looking forward to seeing the results.”