Greater Anglia invites East Anglia schools to join free rail safety programme

Greater Anglia is urging schools across East Anglia to apply for a free rail safety education programme, delivered in partnership with Rail Safe Friendly. The initiative is designed to increase awareness of railway safety among children and young people in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire.

Last year, 149 schools participated, reaching more than 91,500 young people. This year, Greater Anglia plans to sponsor an additional 150 schools and is inviting schools across the network to take part.

Participating pupils will access online safety broadcasts built around the story of Harrison Ballantyne, who tragically died after entering a rail freight depot. The programme highlights the hidden dangers of overhead electricity lines and includes a short film alongside age-appropriate online presentations for KS1, KS2, KS3, and SEND students.

Georgia Payne, Safeguarding and Community Safety Manager at Greater Anglia, said:

“This year, we are sponsoring another 150 schools, and the feedback from both pupils and teachers has been extremely positive. So far in this academic year, we have already reached 10 schools and almost 6,000 pupils, and we would encourage any schools that have not yet taken part to apply through the Rail Safe Friendly website. Safety is our absolute priority on the railway. The railway is not a playground, and people should never go on the tracks without permission. Anyone accessing the track without authority is risking their life and the lives of others.”

Stuart Heaton, Founder and Managing Director of the Rail Safe Friendly programme, said:

“We are delighted to continue our partnership with Greater Anglia to help expand the reach of the Rail Safe Friendly programme. Their commitment to supporting schools and prioritising the safety of young people is exemplary. Every child deserves to understand the risks around the railway, and by working with dedicated partners like Greater Anglia, we can ensure these life-saving messages reach even more pupils across the region. We look forward to welcoming additional schools onto the programme and supporting them with high-quality, engaging rail safety education.”

Image: Greater Anglia