When the question ‘What could we do to support the change in the National Curriculum to include teaching on climate change?’ was asked during a Community Rail Education Network meeting, members saw it as an opportunity to create a suite of resources to engage Key Stage 2 children in learning about the rail network’s green credentials. From the outset, the Education Network recognised it was important to listen to the views and experiences of the many CRPs who work closely with schools and have developed local materials to support classroom delivery on sustainable transport. Through these conversations, the team realised that there was a need for a high quality, data drive set of teaching materials which could be used independently of a CRP officer being present in the classroom.

With financial support from Cross Country, the project was set in motion. Award-winning creative agency i-Creation created a short animation and PowerPoint presentation to be used both in the classroom and as an activity sheet for students to take home. The resources were fact-checked by Network Rail and the Decarbon8 Research Network, and the character of Daffnee Green was born: an engaging flower who tells the story of what the railways are doing to address climate change and the advantages of swapping car journeys to train to lower carbon emissions.

The materials were launched at the National Railway Museum in October 2022 and featured on a Learn Live UK broadcast in September 2023 to over 3,000 viewers. The bank of resources has proved to be an effective, engaging and easy to deliver solution to a gap in the curriculum, putting sustainability at the heart of children’s learning.

The ‘Connecting New Communities’ project aimed to engage with residents of new housing developments in Gloucestershire to promote car-free and sustainable transport choices. Gloucestershire CRP worked with partners to design and deliver seven community events that enhanced awareness of active travel connections in the area, including free bike servicing, interactive surveys, and information for job seekers. As a result of the project, transport planners working on new developments shared that they recognise the value of this local offer and are requesting the CRP’s engagement tools to share with new residents as part of welcome packs.

The aim of ‘Inclusivity Matters’ was to improve travel confidence and accessibility for passengers with additional needs, as well as boost awareness amongst railway staff of the challenges faced by passengers with autism. Rail 74 CRP utilised an autism-led approach to deliver ‘travelling classrooms’, supporting groups with station functionality and layout, as well as planning fun and inclusive train trips. Via a feasibility report led by Scottish Autistic Consultants, the CRP has created a blueprint for change which will pave the way for future projects along the line, promoting rail as an inclusive and accessible form of sustainable travel for all.