The effects of Anglo-Saxon, Viking and Scots settlement in Britain

In this unit, children can be introduced to the idea that people from other societies have been coming to Britain for a long time. They can learn about some of the tensions involved in the settlement as well as ways of life and matters that impact on us still.

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Links can be made with other societies that contributed to the formation of the United Kingdom and how Saxons and Vikings and Scots contributed to the development of institutions, culture and ways of life in the country.

There is a strong emphasis on children investigating issues and solving valid historical questions recognising the nature of the evidence on which their judgements and knowledge are based. It also aims to show that the Anglo-Saxons did not exist in isolation but interacted with others around the world.

This unit is structured around 4 sequential history enquiries: 

1. Who were the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings and why did they invade and settle in Britain?
2. How well did the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings get on with each other?
3. What was life really like in Anglo-Saxon and Viking Britain?
4. What did the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings leave behind?

See all Primary schemes of work here. 

Please note: While this unit contains resource suggestions, it is not a fully resourced scheme of work, and the resources it refers to may in some cases only be available to full members of the HA. The majority of the HA schemes of work were produced between 2014-2019 by members of the HA primary committee and its affiliates. These schemes of work are designed to support your planning and should be moulded and adapted to fit the context and needs of your own school.  To view a free sample scheme of work, please refer to our Anglo-Saxons unit. We regularly check the hyperlinks included in the schemes but unfortunately every now and again some links may go out of date. If you spot a broken link, please let us know on enquiries@history.org.uk.