Secondary school resources

Education about rail safety at Key Stages 3 and 4 (Scotland P7 to S4) provides young people with timely information and equips them with the skills to stay safe as they enjoy greater independence in their teenage years.

So we worked with teachers to develop a range of resources to deliver engaging and interactive activities that match different curriculum areas and deliver Ofsted requirements of PSHEE teaching.

Assembly kit

The assembly kit on level crossing safety includes a PowerPoint slideshow with embedded videos and a quiz.

We’ve also developed an accompanying guide to help make running the assembly as easy as possible.

Teacher's guide to the assembly presentation
Assembly presentation - Key Stages 3 and 4 (Powerpoint 97-2003, includes link to the video)
Assembly presentation - Key Stages 3 and 4 (PowerPoint 2007)
Assembly presentation - Key Stages 3 and 4 (PowerPoint for Apple Mac)

Lesson plan activities

These resources will help you run engaging classes across a number of curriculum areas including English, Science and PSHEE.

They cover a range of rail safety issues from level crossing safety to general dangers around the railway. The roots of risky behaviour and the role of peer pressure are also explored. Contents include real life story videos, a drama, a self-assessment quiz and a community campaign.

Lesson plan activities for Key Stages 3 and 4 

Supporting materials

Real life story videos

Videos of individuals sharing their thought-provoking real life stories about incidents on the railway. You may wish to review before showing to the class.

Leighton and Sammy
Leighton talks about his girlfriend Sammy who died after tripping on the electrified rail while taking a shortcut across the railway.
Download Leighton and Sammy (mp4)

Richard
While driving over a level crossing when the lights were flashing, Richard crashed his car into a train. His two friends who were passengers in the car died.
Download Richard (mp4)

Railway staff
Railway staff talk about what happens on the tracks, from trespass to level crossing misuse.
Download Railway Staff (wmv)

Perspectives
Railway staff and British Transport Police share their view of the impact of a death on the railway.
Download Perspectives (mp4)

Rail Life Safety Guide

This handy guide gives key facts and essential rail safety information for young people and those working with them. You can use it for background information or hand out copies to pupils to aid research and discussion.

Rail Life Safety Guide 

Videos

Each year we run a TV advert highlighting the dangers of level crossings.
Level Crossings: they're not time wasters. They're life savers TV advert (mp4)

Real-life CCTV footage of close calls due to railway misuse.
CCTV Sports - Don't try this at home (mp4)