Education materials

Platform: learning materials for KS1-3

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Platform is an award-winning rail education scheme that works with schools to empower young people in accessing the railways. These collected links include lesson materials across the curriculum for Key Stages 1-3. Source: Platform.

Link: platformrail.org

Young Great Westerners

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Aimed at learners aged 5-11, this collection of games, guides and maps from GWR are designed to build and test pupils’ knowledge and skills, from STEM to story writing. Source: GWR.

Link: www.younggreatwesterners.com

Switched On

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With a focus on developing decision making skills, pupils will learn to identify potential dangers on their own journeys, along with spotting risky behaviours in others. Source: Switched On.

Link: switchedonrailsafety.co.uk

Railway Museum schools programme

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A programme of interactive shows, workshops and other learning activities for Key Stages 1–3. Source: National Railway Museum.

Link: www.railwaymuseum.org.uk

The Magnificent Train Journey

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The interactive learning pack contains 23 activities, plus extra discussion prompts, for your Key Stage 2 class. It’s designed for the new Curriculum for Wales, making it easy to see how you’re reaching the new targets. Source: Transport for Wales.

Link: tfw.wales

Collected rail learning materials: South East Community Rail Partnership

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A signposting collection to online resources which will help raise young people’s awareness about staying safe on the railway and careers within the industry. Source: SE Community Rail Partnership and others.

Link: www.southeastcrp.org

Awesome Railways

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A printable visual overview of the role railways play and what the future might involve. For use with companion film. Source: Network Rail.

File type: pdf (1,219kb)

Film: Awesome Railways

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A short animated film aimed at younger audiences explaining the impact the railway has had on Britain and why it is important for our future. Runtime: 2m24s. Source: Network Rail.

File type: mp4 (13,471kb)

Station Hunt maths challenge

Maths

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Lesson materials for a maths-based challenge to find stations on the rail network based on their journey times. Includes teacher presentation, question and answer sheets. Source: The Institute for Engineering and Technology, and Network Rail.

Link: education.theiet.org

Emily the Engineer activity book

Puzzles Maths

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A colourful activity book on railway engineering themes including word searches, colouring, mazes and simple maths puzzles for younger learners. Source: Network Rail and partners.

Link: www.networkrail.co.uk

Arlo's Adventures: There and Back book

Safety

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A pick-a-path railway safety book, follows Arlo and his friends on a day out as they make safe choices around the railway. Source: Bessie Matthews.

Link: online.fliphtml5.com

If you were an Engineer what would you do?

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This competition invites pupils of all ages in both primary and secondary schools to imagine if they were an engineer, what problem would they most like to solve? Source: Primary Engineer.

Link: leadersaward.com

STEM lesson plans and materials from HS2

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A wide range of lesson plan materials with real world examples from the railway and transport infrastructure industries. Covers topics including scientific methods, forces, maths and technology. Source: HS2.

Link: www.hs2.org.uk

iRail: STEM lesson plans and resources from Rail Forum

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A full set of resources; lessons plans, presentations, exercises, workbooks and videos showcasing young people and their careers in rail. Source: Rail Forum.

Link: www.railforum.uk

Platform: learning materials for KS1-3

External link (new tab)

Platform is an award-winning rail education scheme that works with schools to empower young people in accessing the railways. These collected links include lesson materials across the curriculum for Key Stages 1-3. Source: Platform.

Link: platformrail.org

Living Switched On

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Living Switched On explores a range of themes such peer pressure, the perils of group mindset and the impact of decisions. Source: Switched On.

Link: switchedonrailsafety.co.uk

Backtrack Rail Anti-trespassing Competition

Safety

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The Backtrack competition aims to reduce the amount of railway trespass by encouraging young people to share important anti-trespass messages with their friends and family. Source: Community Rail Education Network

Link: backtrackcompetition.co.uk

Game: Connecting the Railway

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Make the decisions that railway engineers face when deciding how to develop new tracks, bridges and stations in this interactive game. Includes options for Key Stage 2 or 3/4. Source: Network Rail.

Link: network-rail.github.io

Game: Rail Data - Maths

Maths

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A maths-based quiz game to answer rail-related questions and collect the code to unlock a train route. Source: Network Rail.

Link: stemdatagame.nrdigital.co

Game: Caring for our environment

Environment

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An environment-themed game exploring weather, climate, wildlife and waste management in terms of railways. Source: Network Rail.

Link: network-rail.github.io

Films: Engineering and fleet

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A playlist of short films on Network Rail's YouTube channel covering engineering topics including maintenance work, leaf clearance, and how drones are used on the railway. Source: Network Rail.

Link: www.youtube.com

Films: Environment and sustainability

Environment

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A playlist of short films on Network Rail's YouTube channel covering the role railways play in promoting sustainability including planning rail projects to encourage biodiversity, adapting to climate change and keeping wildlife safe. Source: Network Rail.

Link: www.youtube.com

Films: Railway history

History

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A playlist of short films on Network Rail's YouTube channel covering the history and impact of the railways, including rail's role during wartime, the development of high speed rail, and the growth in seaside holidays by train. Source: Network Rail.

Link: www.youtube.com

Apprenticeships at Network Rail

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Find out about the type of Level 3 and Level 6 apprenticeships on offer within Network Rail, and hear stories from current apprentices. Source: Network Rail.

Link: www.earlycareers.networkrail.co.uk

Routes into Rail: How to get started in the rail industry

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Discover the most common paths into the rail sector, find current vacancies and understand about the different qualification routes into different roles. Routes into Rail includes profiles of over 60 railway careers and stories from people working in them. Source: Routes into Rail.

Link: routesintorail.org

Quiz: My Skills My Life

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Discover your personality type and see how your skills match up to science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) careers. Connect with real people in STEM careers who have the same personality type as you. What do they do? What do they earn? How did they get there?. Source: My Skills My Life.

Link: www.wisecampaign.org.uk

Film: All Change on the railway

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Find out why the railway is for everyone and about some of the surprising jobs around Britain. Runtime: 3m34s. Source: Network Rail

File type: mp4 (34,422kb)

Films: Apprentices and graduates at Network Rail

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A playlist of short films hearing from apprentices and graduates working in different railway roles at Network Rail. Source: Network Rail

Link: www.youtube.com