SWORDS and shields shone in the sunshine and young damsels danced with dragons at the St George’s Day grand opening of a village primary school’s new outdoor learning area.

And the open air classroom built with a castle theme at Oldfield Primary School, Oldfield proved a tremendous hit with young pupils, who all dressed up to suit England’s patron saint’s day.

Head teacher Fiona Lidstone-Green said it seemed fitting to open it in style on St George's Day and the children all came to school dressed as dragons, St George or as princesses.

“It is part of the curriculum to teach the children British values, so today we have taught the history and story of St George and the Dragon,” Mrs Lidstone-Green said.

“Key Stage 2 children have written the story as a play and acted it out in the castle.

“The youngest children designed and painted their own shields to display on the castle walls. Parents came along to watch the grand opening and the children enjoyed an afternoon of outdoor activities in the brilliant sunshine. We could not have picked a better day,” she said.