KIDDERMINSTER primary school pupils have been demonstrating their survival skills by building shelters and learning to start fires using flints.

Year three and four pupils at Heronswood Primary School took part in the activities as an introduction to their Invaders and Settlers topic.

On the first day of the topic, children were taken out of their classrooms and asked to build shelters, start a fire with only flint and steel and explore the 'strange island' set up outdoors.

Teachers were supported by forest-school leader Rob Williams, who taught the children to use tools such as saws and penknives safely and put the groundwork in place so the site can be developed into a forest school, which will help the school with outdoor learning.

The topic was planned to raise standards in writing as pupils will have to write instructions, explanations and reports as well as developing their imaginative skills by writing adventure stories.