Man and young boy seated on train at table
Photo: Avanti West Coast
Young woman in train driving simulator
A female Network Rail worker wearing a hard hat and uniform

Education materials

Brilliant resources to bring STEM to life across Key Stages 1-4, along with useful tools to help young people explore the world of careers in rail.

Every day, millions of passengers travel on a rail network built on innovation, science and engineering.

The railways are a fantastic way to bring STEM curriculum topics – as well as themes like safety and PSHE – to life in the classroom.

Working with partners across the industry, we’ve brought together these teaching and learning materials to help. They include planning games and puzzles, printable worksheets, lesson plans, short films and career profiles.

Key Stages 1 & 2 (age 5-11)

Platform: learning materials for KS1-3

Writing Maths Science Technology PSHE History

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

Young Great Westerners

Writing Design Technology Maths Science

External link (new tab)

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

Safety

External link (new tab)

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

History

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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

Environment PSHE

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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

Safety Science Careers PSHE

External link (new tab)

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 preview

Awesome Railways

History Science Technology

Download (new tab)

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 preview

Film: Awesome Railways

History Science Technology

Download (new tab)

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

External link (new tab)

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 Design

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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

External link (new tab)

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?

Competition Science

External link (new tab)

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

Key Stages 3 & 4 (11-16)

STEM lesson plans and materials from HS2

Maths Science

External link (new tab)

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

Design Technology Environment Careers

External link (new tab)

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

Writing Science Maths PSHE Design

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

Safety PSHE

External link (new tab)

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 Competition

External link (new tab)

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

Science

External link (new tab)

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

External link (new tab)

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

External link (new tab)

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

Technology Science

External link (new tab)

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

External link (new tab)

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

External link (new tab)

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

Post-16: Careers

National Apprenticeship Week 2025 toolkit

Careers

External link (new tab)

To help you plan and promote your activities, download and share the resources.

Link: naw.appawards.co.uk

Apprenticeships at Network Rail

Careers Science

External link (new tab)

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

Careers

External link (new tab)

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

Careers

External link (new tab)

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 preview

Film: All Change on the railway

Careers

Download (new tab)

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

Careers

External link (new tab)

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

Share your learning materials

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