Rail safety education has entered the English National Curriculum for the first time, with Network Rail launching a revamped 'Switched On' website to support teachers and parents with free educational resources.
The digital platform offers lesson plans, interactive activities and videos designed to teach children about railway dangers. The materials cover trespassing risks, level crossing safety, overhead line hazards and the silent approach of modern electric trains.
The curriculum inclusion reflects growing concerns about incidents on Britain's rail network. With thousands of miles of track across the country and rising passenger numbers, authorities view educating young people as essential to preventing accidents and fatalities.
Network Rail hopes schools and families will use the 'Switched On' resources to teach responsible behaviour near tracks, level crossings and stations. The initiative aims to instil safety awareness from an early age rather than simply responding to incidents after they occur.
The move represents a significant shift towards prevention through education, with Network Rail working alongside educational bodies to reduce risks around railway infrastructure. By giving children the knowledge to make safe choices, the organisation aims to create a safer environment for everyone using or living near the rail network.