Anglo Saxons KS2
Facts, Lessons and Free Classroom Slides
Teaching the Anglo-Saxons in KS2? This history topic helps children explore what happened in Britain after the Romans left, including Anglo-Saxon migration, the Picts and Scots, Anglo-Saxon life, religion, society and the mystery of Sutton Hoo.
PlanBee’s Anglo-Saxons, Picts and Scots KS2 scheme of work is a complete 7-lesson History pack for Year 3/4, covering the National Curriculum objective:
- Britain’s settlement by Anglo-Saxons and Scots
Free Anglo-Saxons KS2 Slides: The Excavation of Sutton Hoo
Start your topic with a ready-made sample slideshow from Lesson 1 of our Anglo-Saxons, Picts and Scots scheme.
In this lesson, children are introduced to the mystery of Sutton Hoo and are challenged to begin thinking like historians. They explore how evidence from artefacts, written sources and environmental clues can help us understand the past.
Use these free slides to:
- introduce your Anglo-Saxons KS2 topic
- spark discussion about historical evidence
- explore the Sutton Hoo burial
- give children a memorable hook into Anglo-Saxon Britain
Get the Lesson 1 Slides for Free
Anglo Saxons KS2 Facts for Children
Learning key facts helps children build a stronger understanding of Anglo-Saxon Britain before exploring the bigger historical questions. These simple Anglo-Saxons KS2 facts are perfect for class discussion, display boards or retrieval practice starters.
10 Anglo-Saxons KS2 Facts to Teach your Class:
- The Anglo-Saxons came to Britain after the Romans left in around AD 410.
- The name ‘Anglo-Saxons’ comes from three groups of people: the Angles, the Saxons and the Jutes.
- Many Anglo-Saxons came from places we now call Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands.
- They settled in different parts of Britain and created several kingdoms, including Wessex, Mercia and Northumbria.
- Some Anglo-Saxons were farmers, while others were craftsmen, warriors, traders or kings.
- At first, many Anglo-Saxons were pagans and believed in many gods.
- Later, Christianity spread across Anglo-Saxon Britain and many people converted.
- Sutton Hoo is one of the most famous Anglo-Saxon archaeological sites in Britain.
- The Anglo-Saxons left behind important objects such as jewellery, weapons, coins and manuscripts.
- Anglo-Saxon rule lasted until 1066, when the Normans invaded England.
Why is Sutton Hoo important?
One of the most exciting parts of teaching Anglo-Saxons KS2 is exploring the mystery of Sutton Hoo.
Sutton Hoo is an Anglo-Saxon burial site discovered in Suffolk in 1939. Archaeologists found the remains of a huge ship burial filled with valuable objects including a famous decorated helmet, jewellery, weapons and treasures made from gold and silver.
These discoveries helped historians understand how wealthy and powerful some Anglo-Saxon leaders were.
For KS2 children, Sutton Hoo is a brilliant example of how historians use evidence to learn about the past. It helps pupils understand that history is not just about dates, it is also about discovering clues and asking questions.
This is why Lesson 1 of our Anglo-Saxons, Picts and Scots KS2 scheme begins with The Excavation of Sutton Hoo as it gives children a memorable and engaging starting point for the whole topic.
Download the free Sutton Hoo lesson slides
Anglo-Saxons vs Vikings: What’s the Difference?
Children often mix up Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, so it helps to make the difference clear.
The Anglo-Saxons settled in Britain first, beginning after the Romans left. The Vikings arrived later, mainly from Scandinavia, and often attacked Anglo-Saxon kingdoms before eventually settling in some parts of Britain too.
Both groups shaped British history, but they were different people from different places and different time periods.
This makes it helpful to teach these topics in sequence:
Anglo-Saxons, Picts and Scots → Vikings vs Anglo-Saxons
This helps children understand how one period of history leads into the next.
👉 Explore our Vikings vs Anglo-Saxons KS2 scheme
Complete Anglo-Saxons KS2 Scheme of Work
Our full Anglo-Saxons, Picts and Scots KS2 planning pack includes everything you need to teach this history topic with confidence.
Across seven lessons, children will learn about:
- the excavation of Sutton Hoo
- ⛵️ Anglo-Saxon migration
- 🛖 the Picts and Scots
- 🗡️ everyday Anglo-Saxon life
- 📜 Anglo-Saxon society and culture
- ✞ paganism and Christianity
- 🧩 what Sutton Hoo can tell us about the past
Each lesson includes a detailed lesson plan, slideshow, differentiated activities, alternative activity ideas, a medium-term plan and assessment materials.
👉 View the full Anglo-Saxons, Picts and Scots KS2 scheme
What do children learn about the Anglo-Saxons in KS2?
In KS2, children usually study the Anglo-Saxons as part of the National Curriculum focus on Britain’s settlement by Anglo-Saxons and Scots. This topic helps pupils understand how Britain changed after the Romans left and how different groups settled, lived, worshipped and organised society.
A strong Anglo-Saxons KS2 unit should help children ask questions such as:
- Who were the Anglo-Saxons?
- Why did they come to Britain?
- Who were the Picts and Scots?
- What was life like in Anglo-Saxon Britain?
- What can Sutton Hoo tell us about Anglo-Saxon society?
- How did religion change during the Anglo-Saxon period?
Continue the story: Vikings vs Anglo-Saxons
Once children understand Anglo-Saxon settlement, they can continue the story with our Vikings vs Anglo-Saxons KS2 scheme of work.
This Year 5/6 history pack covers the National Curriculum objective:
- the Viking and Anglo-Saxon struggle for the Kingdom of England to the time of Edward the Confessor
It is ideal for schools wanting to build a clear sequence from Anglo-Saxon settlement through to Viking invasions, the Danelaw and the struggle for power in England.
👉 View the Vikings vs Anglo-Saxons KS2 scheme
Ready to teach the Anglo-Saxons?
Whether you need a quick Anglo-Saxons KS2 starter resource or a complete planned unit, PlanBee has everything ready for you.
Start with the free Sutton Hoo slides, then save hours of planning with the full Anglo-Saxons, Picts and Scots scheme.
