Catch the Train to My Future

Aim – Schools will enhance their curriculum by providing young people with safe travel by rail, ferryboat and foot to explore local heritage, culture and economy as well as connecting them with possible future opportunities in life by working with people from the world of work.

 This initiative is in response to -

· The climate emergency and Bristol’s target for zero emissions by 2030
· Changes to Ofsted inspection framework, encouraging schools to adopt a local curriculum
· Groundswell of demand from school communities for learning that decolonises history

Context - Bristol has a rich heritage, cultural capital and huge support from businesses within the city centre. This should be accessible to all learners. The city and its environs have an expanding network of underused rail links during school hours. Travel from Temple Meads across the city-centre is easily linked by ferry boat. This project will integrate the learning on the journey and the city venues with the classroom.

Training

Training brings teachers together with businesses and agencies that are offering learning experiences for young people. The training includes use of rail-network and ferryboats to assist with risk assessments. Training is held on our ship, the MV Balmoral moored in the Bristol Harbour. The day explores the offers from the various partners and the chance to plan how these could be tailored to enhance schools curriculum plans. Last year there was a suggestion that schools to meet up with other schools for sporting competitions or other celebrations. There is also the option to create a city tour taking in four visits covering four sectors: Service industry (Law or Finance), Governance (City Hall), Engineering Manufacturing and Heritage. The partnership with Maritime Futures offers advice on using the sea and ships and shipping across the curriculum and in addition they offer two days free training (7th and 8th March 2023)  in Cowes on the Isle of Wight to explore the work of Ormiston Academy. 

Support

The project supports teachers in planning and completing a trip with young people. This includes -

• Issuing of a large group rail card for the travel and the logistics for a trip by rail and /or ferry boat
  
• Shaping the learning experience on the journey and at a venue or business and any workshop activities
• liaising with Historic England Education. Direct planning support for developing the curriculum related to visits and travel experiences.
  
• Safe use of the platform and train. GWR Teachers team (Platform )offer pre and post activity to enhance the learning related to general train travel
  

Feedback

 ‘I just wanted to say a whole-hearted 'thank you' to yourself and everybody who was involved in the trip over the last couple of days. Both staff and students were gushing about the respective days, they also said that the nature of the rail and boat travel was not only pleasant but the information from seeing the waterways really fed into and supported the purpose of the trip. Looking through the pictures taken from the second day, it is literally all smiles.’

Chris Gambrell – Business Manager BTEA

Outcomes

Training for school staff- risk assessments and curriculum development

Strategic support from businesses and their employees for learners. Visits to events by rail and ferry boat for young people

Practical workshops for primary and secondary schools

"Catch the Train to My Match" - collaborate with other schools for sports competitions

Ticket incentives for parents, carers and families to use the railways during weekends and holidays to see what their children have been doing