Network Rail in partnership with the rail industry has launched a new, free, educational rail safety programme for children.

The programme is closely aligned to key stage levels, for age groups 3-6, 7-11 and 12 -16.

Named “Switched On”, the programme teaches children about the dangers present around the railway.

It also encourages them to develop hazard-spotting skills so that when they are anywhere near the railway, they can make the right informed choices.

Younger children are invited to join Switched On with Suzi as she travels on her journey to a nature reserve. Ironically, Network Rail has recently released CCTV footage of young girls deliberately misusing the Nature Reserve level crossing at Attenborough in Broxstowe, Nottinghamshire.

The footage includes the girls doing handstands on the crossing, people taking selfies on the railway, lying down on the track for photo opportunities or stopping to sit on the crossing. Any one of those could have resulted in fatal or life-changing consequences.

Rupert Lown, Chief Health and Safety Officer,. said: “This behaviour at Nature Reserve level crossing is absolutely shocking and shows why it is essential that we educate and inform children that is it never safe to stop or hang around the railway tracks. Anyone deliberately misusing level crossings or trespassing on the railway is putting themselves at serious risk of life-changing injury or even worse.

“Switched On is a great, one-stop shop that provides useful tools for children of every age and I hope that everyone will make use of the resources – from videos and interactive games to classroom activities and teacher guidance – and help us and the wider rail industry to keep our children safe.”

The Switched On programme was created by Hopscotch Consulting, and was designed to accord with the requirements of the National Curriculum. Using a range of activities and tools including animations, fun classroom activities, interactive games and videos, Switched On aims to teach young people about the risk, and the importance of informed decision making, around the rail network.

Children in the 3-6 year-old age group will develop a range of skills, learning the importance of staying with an adult and how to behave safely. For 7-11 year olds, the emphasis will be on developing good judgement and decision-making skills, whilst 12-16 year olds will be shown the impact of peer pressure and how to challenge group mindset.

Network Rail and the rail industry will use Switched On as part of their schools safety engagement programmes, it will also be rolled out to schools and educators nationwide. The programme will also be available to parents and carers at the Switched On website.

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