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Rail safe friendly

Guest blog from our friends at Learn Live

The Rail Safe Friendly (RSF) programme is an impactful initiative aimed at educating young people about rail safety across the UK. Originating from a tragic event, the programme was inspired by Harrison Ballantyne, a young boy who lost his life on a railway track in 2017. His mother, Liz Ballantyne, has been a passionate advocate for rail safety and worked alongside Network Rail and the Learn Live team to raise awareness, helping to inspire the creation of the RSF programme.

The RSF programme leverages live and on-demand broadcasts to reach schools and students nationwide. It provides valuable education on staying safe around railway tracks and trains. Schools and students can participate in interactive sessions where they are encouraged to work towards Bronze, Silver, and Gold safety recognition levels by promoting safety awareness at different levels of engagement, from classroom participation to school-wide campaigns. Since its launch, over 2 million young people have been reached through 6,000 schools, making a significant impact.

Key Partners

RSF collaborates with over 90 key industry partners, including:

  • Network Rail
  • RSSB
  • The ORR
  • LNER
  • Scot Rail

These partners play a vital role in providing the necessary support and outreach to schools and communities.

Feedback from Schools and Businesses

Elmbridge School in Surrey has been an enthusiastic participant in the RSF programme. A teacher from the school shared their positive experience: "The Rail Safe Friendly content resonates deeply with our students, making them understand rail safety in a way that’s not only engaging but relatable. It has truly made a difference."

Businesses have also praised the initiative, particularly Arriva Rail London, one of the programme’s key partners. A representative from the company said, "Being part of Rail Safe Friendly has allowed us to directly contribute to the safety of young people. Knowing that our support is making such a tangible difference is incredibly rewarding."

Schools have praised the RSF programme for its engaging and accessible content, with teachers noting that it has become an essential part of their safety curriculum. A teacher commented, "The Rail Safe Friendly content resonates with our students and helps them understand the importance of safety near railways in a way that’s relatable."

The programme continues to grow and adapt, with more schools and businesses joining the initiative every year, making a lasting impact on the safety and well-being of students across the UK.

For more information, visit https://railsafefriendly.com