Pupils at schools across Scotland are set to learn about railway safety through a series of workshops held by the ScotRail Alliance.

As part of Rail Safety Week 2017, which runs Monday 25 September – Sunday 1 October, leading figures in the rail industry will work in partnership to promote the vital importance of rail safety.

The ScotRail Alliance is holding a series of school safety based events to educate, address, engage and promote rail safety, including interactive workshops which focus on level crossing awareness.

By using drama, games, improvisation and quizzes, the workshops are designed to share safety information and railway facts and figures with young people. Character-based activities will be used to give pupils the opportunity to put themselves in the shoes of people who had been involved in making unsafe decisions, as well as considering the impact of accidents on the wider community, railway staff and other passengers.

The Scottish Football Association and the British Transport Police will also host football and rail safety sessions to raise awareness of the danger of playing near the railway.

Rail Safety Week is an industry-led initiative focusing on rail safety for all.

ScotRail Alliance Community Liaison Executive Allan James Brooking said:

“We’re really looking forward to playing our part in making Rail Safety Week a success.

“It’s important that young people understand just how dangerous the railway can be. That’s why we’re running several interactive workshops to raise awareness and highlight the risks – particularly at a time when we are electrifying large portions of the Scottish rail network.”

Founder of Rail Safety Week Alan Tarrant said:

“It’s fantastic to see the rail industry come together again to make the foundations of what is looking to be a great week.

“With over 120 organisations committed to delivering important safety messages across the UK I’m confident we, as an industry, can continue working together to raise the standard and profile of safety within the industry.

“As Rail Safety Week is a non-profit organisation we rely on the help, hard work and commitment of the industry to make the week a success.”

Inspector Bryan O’Neill from British Transport Police, said: “We’re looking forward to joining ScotRail next week as we all get involved with Rail Safety Week 2017.

“Throughout the year, officers from BTP regularly visit schools to talk to young people about the dangers of the railway. The railway is a hazardous environment and often we’re called to worrying incidents where children have trespassed onto the tracks. The workshops next week will be a fun and interactive way to engage with young people and make sure they know about the risks of the railway.”

Hear from Labour party leader Rt Hon Jeremy Corbyn MP at the British Chambers of Commerce Business and Education Summit.

How can businesses and education providers work together to help young people succeed in their careers?

Join us on Thursday 6 July to hear from other influential names in the worlds of business and education including, among others, Neil Carmichael (Former chair, Education Select Committee), Rt Hon Sir Vince Cable MP (Former Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills) and Judith Doyle (Principal/CEO, Gateshead College, 2016 TES FE leader of the year).

Network with businesses and educators across the country, as well as taking part in interactive breakout sessions run by ‘F1 in Schools’ and ‘KMF’.

Tickets are selling fast so book now to attend and take advantage of this exciting opportunity to hear the Leader of the Opposition, Rt Hon Jeremy Corbyn MP, speak on skills and education.

We hope to see you on the day!

Animation workshop taking place at Forthview Primary, W Pilton Pl, Edinburgh EH4 4DF. The workshop was led by animator Henry... use WWI as a subject for the stories. SCRAN has supported this project by providing the background images for the animations as well as other supporting material. Henry Cruickshank  (animatior), Sylvie Silk (Learning Officer, HES), Jackie Sangster (Education Officer Scran)The red carpet is set to be rolled out at Forthview Primary on Thursday 8 June for parents to attend the premiere of a special animated film showcasing a project between Historic Environment Scotland, SCRAN (Scottish Cultural Resources Access Network) and Forthview Primary School in Edinburgh.

Historic Environment Scotland’s Learning Team have been working with Forthview Primary since 2014 to support their WWI topic, with pupils taking part in a series of cross-curricular workshops at their school and Edinburgh Castle.

To showcase the pupil’s learning and experiences, Historic Environment Scotland commissioned animator Henry Cruickshank to work with the pupils to create their very own animation that they will share with parents and other pupils at a grand unveiling on Thursday 8 June.

Sylvie Silk, Learning Officer at Historic Environment Scotland, said: “Pupils took part in a number of activities such as propaganda poster workshops, a recruitment activity at Edinburgh Castle and a poetry workshop, and found inspiration through visits to the Scottish National War Memorial and National War Museum. This film encapsulates all that they have learnt along the way and it will be a great resource for pupils studying the First World War in the future.”
SCRAN also worked closely with P7 pupils to explore the archives and historical footage available on their online catalogue. The animation uses SCRAN archive imagery as a backdrop and follows the journey of a soldier during the First World War, exploring themes of propaganda, recruitment and remembrance.

Jackie Sangstar, Education Officer from SCRAN said: “It has been extremely rewarding to see the class engage with the First World War archive material through SCRAN and see them use the imagery and information so creatively in their learning. The pupils integrated archive photographs into their animation with great effect. The outcome is a wonderful film and a valuable resource for First World War studies.”

Before making the film, P7 pupils took part in animation workshops and studied techniques such as character and plot development, storyboard creation and animation techniques.

Ms Watson, Class Teacher of Forthview Primary said: “Our Primary 7 pupils have thoroughly enjoyed the First World War project and learned many new facts and skills. The trips to the castle really developed their breadth of knowledge and understanding of life in 1914. Everyone joined in the engaging, hands-on workshops and rounding it off with an animation workshop was excellent!”

The film will be housed on Historic Environment Scotland’s website later this year where it will be available as a resource for other pupils studying the First World War.

Historic Environment Scotland operate a free visits scheme for schools, colleges, universities and other learning groups. For more information and how to book, visit the Learn section of the Historic Environment Scotland website.

Over 400 lucky school pupils from Edinburgh, Lothians and the Borders secured their place on a pioneering academy project which aims to boost educational and career opportunities for 15 – 18 year olds.

In just two years, the acclaimed academies project, spearheaded by Queen Margaret University and Edinburgh College, has grown from 34 young people from three East Lothian schools, to 450 pupils from over 50 schools in Edinburgh, East and Midlothian and the Scottish Borders.

On Friday 22 August, all 400 new academy students were brought together at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, to begin a programme of learning which will help prepare them for employment in some of Scotland’s most important growth industries.

The initiative, which was conceived by the Vice Principals of Edinburgh College and Queen Margaret University, is hailed as one which is delivering real results for Scotland’s young people. What started as a trial project with three East Lothian secondary schools, has now grown into a unique and highly successful partnership involving the University, Edinburgh College, Borders College, four local authorities and industry partners.

The Hospitality and Tourism Academy started in 2012 with the aim of smoothing the transition between school, college, university and work, as well as raising standards within the industry. The South East Scotland Academies Project now offers four academies for young people. The more recent additions are The Creative Industries Academy, the Food Science and Nutrition Academy, and the Health and Social Care Academy. The academies provide young people with a real insight into key growth industries and improves their employability by developing specialist skills and knowledge.

The project will mark one of its most significant milestones next month when the first cohort of students graduate from the academies project. Having successfully completed the full two year Hospitality and Tourism Academy, the East Lothian pupils will be the first to graduate with an HNC in Hospitality. These academy students will be in a unique position  – leaving 6th year of school whilst also achieving a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Hospitality. This privileged position secures them a place in specific courses at Edinburgh College or allows them to skip first year and move directly into the second year of BA (Hons) in International Hospitality & Tourism Management at Queen Margaret University.

The addition of key industry partners, such as Double Tree by Hilton, Marriot Hotels, Skills Development Scotland and Creative Scotland, has helped to ensure the academies’ success, allowing young people to develop an understanding of the full range of jobs available within the hospitality, creative industries, food and health sectors.

Nick Hogarth, Reception Manager at Double Tree by Hilton Edinburgh – City Centre, is an enthusiastic supporter of the academies project. He is very keen to help young people develop a better understanding of opportunities within the hospitality industry and encourage them to view it as a first destination career choice. He explained: “From an employer’s view, the academies project helps develop a pool of young people who are better equipped than ever before to enter the industry. It’s difficult for young people to get experience but the academy model hits all the marks – academic education, industry insight and hands-on learning. I only wish that I’d had this opportunity when I was their age.”

All 400 new recruits to the academies project gathered for a photograph in the grounds of Queen Margaret University’s campus in Musselburgh where they will study for part of their academy journey. Learning for all four academies also involves the students taking classes with academics and industry experts at the University, as well as Edinburgh College or Borders College and gaining work experience in industry.

Professor Alan Gilloran, Deputy Principal at Queen Margaret University, said: “The academy model shows partnership working at its very best. By bringing together experts in further and higher education and working directly with schools, local authorities and industry, we can offer young people an incredible start in life – one which can help shape their future and bring about educational and career success.”

Ray McCowan, Vice Principal at Edinburgh College, concluded: “The academies project goes from strength to strength and two years on, the realities of our vision can be clearly seen. Many of the young people are now choosing to study towards careers in these important industries. They will not only be better informed about their own future career direction – they will develop skills and knowledge that can contribute to the growth and development of key industries in Scotland.”

 Academies induction group