The 30th July saw Network Rail take part in a Learn Live broadcast to 2,427 secondary schools located on its Western route from Paddington to Penzance.

The broadcast saw industry experts discuss the importance of staying safe around the railway as part of Rail Safety Week with a focus on the dangers of trespassing. The special session also saw pupils watch videos from the ‘You Vs Train‘ campaign, which has been made in a collaboration between British Transport Police and Network Rail and aims to demonstrate the horrific consequences trespassing on the railway can have.

Andy Philips, Network Rail’s route crime and security programme manager, said:“ Working with Learn Live to educate secondary school pupils about the dangers of trespassing on the railway has been an immensely rewarding experience.”

“It’s been great to build on the work of our community safety teams, who regularly visit schools to promote the importance of staying safe on and around the railway.”

“Trespassing is illegal and could leave you with life-changing injuries, or worse. The railway is not a playground and there are many hidden dangers, including the overhead power lines, from which 25,000 volts of electricity can jump if you get too close.”

“Teaching pupils about these dangers through the Learn Live platform can have a lasting positive impact and helps everyone stay safe on the railway. I’d like to thank Learn Live for the opportunity to take part and hope that the pupils found the session engaging and educational.”

Stuart Heaton, managing director at Learn Live, said:

“The Learn Live Team are delighted to be working with Andy Phillips and his team to educate young people in the region about rail safety”

Network Rail has worked with Learn Live since 2016 in a bid to get the vital rail safety message across to young people about the dangers of the railway. Rail Safe Friendly provides follows the success of the Learn Live digital delivery, which sees young people educated as part of the ‘You vs Train’ campaign.

Learn Live has reached more than 17 million young people across 10,500 schools all over the UK since 2019, working with the Trespass Improvement Team at Network Rail. Learn Live provides a great method to deliver the rail safety message live or on-demand through its channel where it can be used in either classrooms or in assembly halls.

To find out more, please click here.