Platform Rail has launched a new suite of educational resources to help schools continue to mark Railway 200, whilst placing local exploration and community connection at the heart of their learning.
Developed to support teachers across the country, the Key Stage 2 resources empower pupils to discover how the railway has shaped the places they live. Aligned with key areas of the humanities curriculum, including local history and human geography, the resources offer opportunities for young people to investigate change, movement, trade, significant people, and the development of place over time.
Two differentiated task sheets guide pupils through researching and investigating their own local station, exploring how their local station has changed, who uses the railway and why, and the role of rail in shaping the identity of a village, town or city. These can be completed through hands‑on fieldwork or purely in the classroom, giving educators complete freedom to adapt the work to their setting, time, and teaching style.
In addition to the station‑focused tasks, Platform Rail has developed richer, more detailed units of work spotlighting significant railway landmarks within the areas served by the CRPs they represent.
Each unit explores a key location within its county:
- Gloucester for Gloucestershire CRP
- Bristol Temple Meads for Severnside CRP
- Swindon for TransWilts CRP
- Weymouth for West Sussex CRP
- Worcester for Worcestershire CRP
These focal points give pupils the chance to explore the history and impact of a landmark in their region, examining how rail has influenced travel, tourism, trade, and the growth of their communities.
While all units are rooted in the humanities, each takes on its own unique character, whether pupils are uncovering the legacy of Isambard Kingdom Brunel at Bristol Temple Meads or crafting imaginative responses to the historic Cathedrals Express in Worcester.
Tom Blow, learning development officer at Platform Rail, said: “We warmly invite community rail partnerships, schools, youth groups and other educators to access and enjoy these new Railway 200 learning resources. They have been designed to inform, inspire, and engage young people with the story of rail – its past, present and future – and to enrich teaching with meaningful, place-based learning.
“We want to celebrate 200 years of rail together and inspire the next generation to explore the networks that connect us all.”
Keep up to date with future news, projects and events from Platform Rail via their website.