Viking School Days

School Workshops

We can visit your school in: East Midlands, West Midlands, North West, Yorkshire, Wales

Why book Viking School Days

We provide a unique learning experience which encourages active participation through role-play, questioning and interactive activities. Our service is not merely a cost effective alternative to organising a trip, it is also designed so that young people can relate to their past in a fun and engaging manner. In the words of one teacher: 'It was an experience I know they will not forget in a hurry!'

Teacher Checklist

Risk Assessments
Inspection Visits
Free Places for Teachers
Resource Packs

What activities are available during this educational workshop?

We can tailor sessions to meet individual requirements with activities including storytelling, examining artefacts, role-play, riddles, games, quizzes, battle training with foam spears and plywood shields, dress like a Viking, Anglo-Saxon warrior or lady of the meadhall. We can cover topics from AD 410 - 1066.

Which Curriculum Subjects do you cater for?

Saxons

Invaders and Settlers Edward the Confessor Saxon Settlements Arts and Culture Saxon Laws and Justice

Viking School Days provides a unique Viking or Anglo-Saxon experience with a selection of school visits, workshops and online resources. The Anglo-Saxon session is focussed on Britain’s settlement by the Anglo-Saxons, as detailed in the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum. Your students will swear their oaths to the Northumbrian king, and Christian saint, Oswald Whiteblade and hear his story. With plenty of artefacts to explore, riddles to solve and challenges to overcome, this is a busy day of educational fun!

Vikings

Invaders and Settlers Viking Raids and Invasion Mythology and Culture Viking Trade

Viking School Days provides a unique Viking or Anglo-Saxon experience with a selection of school visits, workshops and online resources. The Viking session is focussed on the Viking and Anglo-Saxon struggle for the Kingdom of England, as detailed in the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum. Your students will join Olaf The Beardless onboard a Viking longship and hear his saga. For stories around a crackling fire, runic prophecies and lots of rowing, look no further!

What size groups do you cater for?

To fulfil our current health and safety requirements, we can engage a group of 30 students at any one time. We do regularly cater for more students by teaching 2 groups in one day or 2 groups over 2 days. We understand every school is different and we will always endeavour to find the best compromise to suit your needs.

How does safeguarding work for online workshops?

Immerse your students in the world of the Vikings with our selection of videos, activities and quizzes, available to view and purchase on our website. If you would like to compliment one of these resources with an online conversation then a call can be hosted by our presenter. Contact us for further information.

What technology/devices/type of internet connection do schools need for an online workshop?

Our online resources can be purchased on our website. You will then receive a link to the page where the resources are stored. The videos can be accessed on this page via Vimeo and the other resources come in the form of PDF documents and can be downloaded. A computer is all you need with some printouts available for download. If you would like to arrange an online conversation with one of our characters please contact us for further information.

Do you offer access for visitors with disabilities?

We cater for a range of Disabilities and can specifically tailor sessions to meet individual requirements.

Do you cater for visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)?

We cater for a range of Special Educational Needs and can specifically tailor sessions to meet individual requirements.

Anything else?

All our presentations are delivered by a qualified teacher with a History degree.

We come with an Enhanced DBS check.

Everything is risk assessed and we carry £5,000,000 Public Liability Insurance.

All our sessions are inspired by the National Curriculum.

All our clothing and artefacts are are reconstructed from archaeological finds.

We use character acting, questioning and role play to develop an understanding of the period.

Reviews from Schools..

★★★★★
"Ben’s Viking Visit was without a doubt the best value-for-money purchase we’ve made in years. The ultimate professional, Ben arrived on time, and from start to finish devoted the whole day (including lunch-time) to the children. Informative, dynamic and with outstanding behaviour management, Olaf the Viking maintained 100% engagement for the entire day. He brought artefacts, digital slides that tied in with his delivery, and the day ended with the most memorable story-telling session in front of a (moving) digital fire. Very cleverly, he rewarded good behaviour with the gift of artefacts to wear for the day, and tied these in with school awards. Truly outstanding in every way, and we shall definitely book him again."

Oakhurst Primary School, Swindon

★★★★★
"Ben delivered an outstanding day in the role of ‘Olaf’ the Viking. The children were mesmerised from the second he entered the classroom in role. They were able to discuss and apply their prior knowledge throughout the day and Ben addressed any misconceptions he spotted along the way. From the start and throughout, the children were handling artefacts and hanging on the edge of their seats listening to Olaf’s stories. The highlight of the day was certainly the battle on the school field! A day well spent and enjoyed by all! Thank you Ben!"

The Mill Academy, Barnsley

★★★★★
"At the beginning of our Traders and Raiders topic, Ben has acted as the perfect entry point to pique the children’s interest and raise their engagement with the topic. Ben was prompt, well prepared and slotted into the school environment with consummate ease. The children have all reacted positively to the teaching and some suggested he stayed permanently! In short it has been a pleasure to have Ben in the school and we will be looking out for opportunities to invite the Viking School Days company in again."

Thornton Primary School, Birmingham

★★★★★
"Absolutely fantastic experience! The children (and the staff) thoroughly enjoyed the day and we were sad it had to end! Ben was excellent. He established a great rapport with the children and managed behaviour effortlessly whilst still delivering a fun, engaging and interactive session. His delivery of the information was enthusiastic and clear and allowed all children to handle artefacts and learn loads of interesting facts about the Vikings. All the children were engaged throughout and had a great laugh too! Ben provided loads of opportunities for them to ask questions and was supportive and patient with the children. I would definitely recommend Ben (Olaf the Viking) as his passion for the topic is infectious and it was a pleasure to have him in school Thank you very much - we look forward to the next time!"

Sydenham Primary School, Leamington Spa

★★★★★
"Where do we start?! The year 5 children had an absolutely fantastic day with ‘Oswald’- the Anglo- Saxon. The children were engaged from the get-go. They had huge smiles on their faces throughout and didn’t realise that they were learning because they were having so much fun! Ben was great with the children- assertive and entertaining; he really got into the role of his character. Both the children and the adults were laughing away! The battle was great fun and it’s a day that I’m sure the children will always remember. Thank you for such a memorable day, Ben! From all of the year 5 staff at Rice Lane Primary."

Rice Lane Primary School, Liverpool

★★★★★
"Amazing experience, which the children loved from start to finish. The workshop was delivered with in- depth knowledge, passion and good humour. The battle which the children took part in at the end of the session was an experience I know they will not forgot in a hurry. Olaf even took time to sit with the children during lunchtime, a personal touch which the children really enjoyed. Ben’s ability to build relationships with the children in such a short space of time, was one of the highlights. We have had many of these types of workshops in school before but this was a cut above the rest and I cannot recommend the experience highly enough. On behalf of Year 5, thanks Ben, for inspiring the Year 5 teachers as well as the pupils!"

Oxford Grove Primary School, Bolton

★★★★★
"Thank you so much for the amazing Viking Day! The children were engaged and excited from the minute it started to the very end! Ben was brilliant with the children and was also friendly and personable with the staff; we were sad to say goodbye! We all thoroughly enjoyed learning about Viking life from Ben’s fountain of knowledge. The activities were informative, hands on and consolidated some learning while also teaching the children many new things. Ben was also great at tailoring his session for KS1 and EYFS. We would recommend this fantastic experience to anyone learning about Vikings."

Chigwell Row Infant School, Essex

★★★★★
"The Anglo-Saxon day was enjoyed by everyone in Year 4 at Southey Green. Ben was truly amazing in character as Oswald. He provided an extremely engaging session, coupled with excellent subject knowledge. The children loved it and learnt a lot, especially through being able to interact with the artefacts. The battle was superb and the children came away with a comprehensive understanding of the tactics used during the Anglo-Saxon period, which were gained in an immersive but safe way. Ben also covered the morality of war, which was appreciated by all."

Southey Green Primary School, Sheffield