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Tuesday 18 Mar 2014

Pupils teach classmates about the importance of staying safe on the railway

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Children from a Manchester primary school have taken part in a safety programme which allows them to share their knowledge with their classmates and friends about the importance of staying safe on the railway.

Network Rail has been working with St Michael’s Church of England Primary School in Flixton to spread railway safety messages amongst pupils as part of its commitment to educate children and young people.

Six young rail safety reps have taken part and will be updating a notice board in the school with railway safety messages. They also have a selection of prizes - including posters, pens, pencils and badges - which they can give away in competitions aimed at raising awareness of railway safety.

The safety reps visited Manchester Piccadilly station last week to find out more about how the station operates, how to stay safe on platforms and to see dozens of busy trains arrive and leave the station.

Janet Clark, community safety manager for Network Rail, said: “The railway safety reps programme is a great way of working with young people to educate them about how to stay safe on the railway. The safety reps will learn about railway safety and then pass their knowledge on to their friends in assemblies, the classroom and through a safety noticeboard which they update themselves.

“The children have been really interested in the project and I am sure they will spread these vital safety messages far and wide.”

Cathy Prole, from St Michael’s Church of England Primary School, said: “One aspect of keeping our children safe at St Michael's Primary School involves the promotion of rail and road safety. The six rail safety reps from Year 5 and 6 were thrilled to have the opportunity to take a tour of Piccadilly station and were treated like VIPs.

“We got to see parts of the station that the general public don't normally get to see. We will continue to promote safety through follow up assemblies and competitions.”

The children travelled to and from Manchester Piccadilly station by train after train operator Northern provided the school with passes. The journey helped further educate them about train travel and how to safely board and leave a train.

Work in schools around Manchester and the north west complements Network Rail’s safety campaigns and continued efforts to improve safety and reduce the number of incidents involving children and young people. For further information visit www.networkrail.co.uk/safety-education.