The upshot is that from the second year, teaching is mostly one to one. As I stand in the Combustion Chamber I see students receiving intense attention. A tutor corrects Michael Standen’s handstand, explaining that he needs to straighten his toes to help everything line up. Standen, 22, is learning unwavering details of technical precision, understanding how tiny adjustments add up. From Wigan, Standen did A-levels in psychology, sociology and art, and went on to read psychology at Edge Hill University. 'I left after the first year,’ he says. 'It just wasn’t intense enough. There were three classes spread out over the week – three hours a week!’ As a boy he was a member of Wigan Seagulls Gymnastics Club but gave it up when he was 11. 'Two years ago I was in the pub and my coach saw me and he said, “Come back to gymnastics. You were good once upon a time.” ’ So Standen did. And then a friend suggested Circus Space. 'I’m learning something every day, challenging myself,’ he says. 'It’s really hard work and some days you think, “I don’t want to go in today,” because you are physically knackered and your muscles are aching, but when you get in, the teachers really help.’