In their outdoor learning session last week, Year 4 enjoyed a Viking-themed Forest School.

Firstly, working in groups of four, the children were given a copy of the Norse alphabet, and a lump of clay. They talked together to decide how to brand their clan, and then created their own currency.

Afterwards, the group built their camps, and then began trading with each other, with some of them even setting up shops. Mrs Andrews opened up her own shop, selling tarps and ropes, that the children could also trade at.

During the session the children learnt a lot-not only about the Vikings and what great traders they were, but also about working collaboratively, and about the unfair advantages that some countries get due to the natural resources that they have and others don’t.

After a break, for hot squash and croissants, the children discussed what was going well for their group and thought about how their tribe could be doing better. They discovered that the more successful groups were working more as a team.

After lots of fun playing the trading game, and some great camp building, the Vikings packed away, leaving not a trace behind, then finished with a game of 1, 2, 3 Where are You??