New classroom films using big-screen techniques are being rolled out across the South West in a bid to tackle the risks young people face on the railway.
Network Rail has launched a series of five educational films aimed at pupils aged nine to 16, combining realistic scenarios with visual effects more commonly associated with high-end television and cinema.
The aim is straightforward: to show, in no uncertain terms, what can happen when safety rules are ignored.
The films come against a backdrop of persistent concern. In the past year alone, there were 265 trespass incidents across the South West route, with more than half occurring between April and August — a seasonal spike that coincides with longer days and school holidays.
Nationally, the figures are equally stark. Around 4,000 incidents each year involve under-18s, equating to roughly 77 young people every week.
The new material is designed to meet that challenge head-on. One animated film targets older Key Stage 2 pupils, while four live-action pieces are aimed at secondary school students. All focus on the often underestimated dangers of the railway, including live electrical equipment such as third rails and overhead lines.
To ensure accuracy, the project has drawn on expertise beyond the rail industry. Medical input came from NHS professionals, including burns specialist Nicole Lee, while production teams included creatives with experience on major productions such as Game of Thrones and the Harry Potter film series.
The result is a set of films that aim to reflect real-world consequences without drifting into sensationalism — a balance that educators are increasingly expected to strike.
Louise McNally, trespass prevention lead at Network Rail, said the approach is about making the message stick.
“Britain has one of the safest railways in the world, but if you don’t stick to the rules, you put yourself at risk,” she said. “These films are designed to give young people life-saving information in a way that is engaging and memorable.”
The timing is also deliberate. From September 2026, rail safety will become a compulsory topic within the PSHE curriculum, placing greater emphasis on schools to address the issue directly.
To support that, the films are accompanied by lesson-ready materials, available free to schools via the Switched On Rail Safety platform. Teachers and safeguarding leads are being encouraged to incorporate them into lessons ahead of the curriculum change.
It is, perhaps, a sign of the times that the language of safety education now borrows from the language of film — but if it keeps attention, and more importantly keeps young people safe, few are likely to argue with the approach.
