Bring Anglo-Saxon England to life with this engaging and curriculum-linked Upper Key Stage 2 assembly.

When a Year 6 class discovers a mysterious Anglo-Saxon artefact during a school history project, they are unexpectedly transported back in time. As they explore an Anglo-Saxon village, they meet farmers, craftspeople, traders, monks, rulers and children, discovering how ordinary people lived, worked and helped shape the England we know today. Along the way, pupils learn that history is built not only by kings and battles, but by communities, everyday lives and the evidence they leave behind.

Designed for Years 5 and 6, this ready-to-perform assembly combines engaging storytelling with accurate historical learning, encouraging pupils to think like historians as they investigate artefacts, place names, written records and archaeological evidence.

What’s Included
Complete three-act assembly script
35 roles (25 speaking roles and 10 non-speaking roles)
Character descriptions
Costume suggestions
Performance notes
Stage directions
Props list
Staging and technical guidance
Rehearsal guide
Director’s notes
Final whole-cast tableau

Key Learning Covered
Pupils will explore:
Who the Anglo-Saxons were and why they settled in Britain
Everyday life in an Anglo-Saxon village
Farming, crafts and trade
Anglo-Saxon homes and communities
Christianity, monasteries and learning
Anglo-Saxon kings, laws and leadership
Migration, settlement and cultural change
Place names and the origins of the English language
Archaeological evidence and historical enquiry
The lasting influence of the Anglo-Saxons on modern England

Perfect For
Upper Key Stage 2 (Years 5–6)
Anglo-Saxons history topics
Class assemblies
Parent performances
Whole-school curriculum events
Topic launches or end-of-unit celebrations

With 35 roles (25 speaking roles and 10 non-speaking roles), this assembly gives every child the opportunity to take part while developing confidence, teamwork and performance skills. Featuring simple staging, minimal props and strong links to the Upper KS2 National Curriculum, it’s an engaging and memorable way to help pupils explore Anglo-Saxon life and understand how evidence from the past continues to shape our understanding of England today.