Croft Church of England Primary School pupils embarked on a unique voyage of Viking longboat discovery this week, launching a novel educational programme funded by Darlington Lions Club.
The programme, delivered in partnership with The Viking Boat Company, combines immersive history lessons with positive messages on mental health for young learners.
Viking Longboat for learning and wellbeing
According to the Northern Echo, a life-sized Viking longboat named ‘Stormbird’ anchored the initiative at the Croft-on-Tees school, which is part of the Dales Academies Trust. The vessel served as a central exhibit for the pupils’ exploration.
Darlington Lions Club is financing the scheme to bring the longboat into local schools. The Viking Boat Company, a not-for-profit enterprise, built Stormbird using original Viking designs.
The organisation supports military veterans by engaging them in woodwork, a process it says crucially aids their mental wellbeing.
Darlington Lions Club President, Denis Pinnegar, said the investment perfectly aligned with the club’s annual focus on mental health and young people.
“The visit to Croft was a brilliant way to start, with the pupils showing great enthusiasm and engagement. We look forward to continuing this epic voyage of discovery with other schools in the Darlington area,” Pinnegar stated.
Pupils handle history and hear veterans’ stories
The Company’s Chief Executive, Bob Marshall, first gave pupils a classroom presentation detailing Viking food, fashion, transport, and weaponry. He then explained how constructing the longboat actively supported veterans’ mental health.
Following the talk, children explored the longboat on the school grounds. They spoke directly with volunteers who worked on the project and examined a range of Viking artefacts, including wooden swords, shields, and musical instruments.
Bob Marshall expressed gratitude to the Lions Club for enabling the educational outreach. He said it is so important to keep the younger generation interested in heritage.
He also added that the school visits also provided an opportunity to discuss mental health positively.
“The overall message is that it’s important to talk and seek help if you are feeling worried or anxious,” Marshall explained.
Head Teacher Rebecca Wallace however said the visit reinforced the school’s ethos of pupil happiness and the aspiration to ‘aspire, believe, and achieve’.
In a related development, an Indian headmaster has used more than $5,000 of his own money to give his students their first flight experience. Beerappa Andagi’s selfless act extended beyond students, with teachers and midday meal cooks taking part in the trip.
Meanwhile, Mental Health Resource, a UK-based charity organisation in Tunbridge Wells that has been providing essential mental health support to residents across West Kent and Maidstone since 1995, announced it will close on 30 January 2026 after more than 30 years of providing free support services.