To encourage more young people to consider pursuing a career in the railway industry, a new teacher and parent toolkit, thought to be the biggest educational resource devoted to the railway industry, has been launched.

Compiled from existing sources, the Railway 200 teacher and parent toolkit brings together, in one place, over 30 different learning resources serving Key Stages 1 to 4 and post-16 age groups.

Until the compilation of this new toolkit, it would have been necessary for teachers and parents to visit over 20 different sites to access an equivalent range of educational content.

History, maths, science, design, technology, environment and safety are all covered by the Railway 200 teacher and parent toolkit, which includes games and puzzles, printable worksheets, lesson plans, short films, and career profiles.

The National Railway Museum has also helped develop a timeline featuring maps, audio, and videos, providing an interactive tour of the past, present, and future of railways.

It also links to external sources of information that have been integrated into the timeline so that visitors can study featured events in more detail.

The public is also being asked to choose their favourite railway-themed artwork from a selection of 200 originals dating from the 1830s to the 21st century.

The 200th anniversary of the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in north-east England in 1825 is the inspiration for the Railway 200 campaign, which celebrates a journey that changed the world forever. Further information about Railway 200 is online at railway200.co.uk.

“The railways are a fantastic way to bring STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) curriculum topics – as well as themes like safety and Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) – to life in the classroom. We’ve worked with partners across the industry to curate these educational materials and support parents and teachers in making learning about the railways, fun and interesting for pupils of all ages.”

Martyn Pennell, Railway 200’s website lead