CRL Down The Line

Special School Engagement - The Railway Confidence Programme

CRL’s Railway Confidence Programme is largely aimed at SEND schools and groups of children with additional needs, though it can be requested by any group who feels they may benefit from it. The programme aims to encourage confidence of use in the railway, and builds children, young people and adults up to the goal of independent travel.

We are delighted that The Railway Confidence Programmes took first place in the ‘Involving Diverse Groups’ category at the 2018 Community Rail Awards, and ‘Most Creative Project’ at the 2019 National Autistic Society’s Professionals Awards!

Aims and Objectives
- To expand Community Rail Lancashire’s education programme into non-mainstream schools
- To offer young people in Special Educational Needs and Disability schools the chance to experience the railway, as well as increase their travel confidence
- To increase the confidence of parents in family train use
- To increase diversity and inclusion on local and national railway lines

Target Audience
This programme is largely aimed at SEND schools; however, mainstream schools could opt into the programme for all or some of their young people if they required it. SEND schools can also opt for the standard academic CRL programme if they prefer.

The programme will be most beneficial for young people who need to increase their confidence surrounding independent and group travel, or who require a clear step-by-step guide to railway use.

The Programme

The programme is flexible, and contains a range of optional activities that young people can undertake, which will be decided in partnership with their class teacher. For further information, please download the guide above.

Outcomes
- Engaged SEND young people in CRL’s education programme
- Increased confidence of SEND young people in railway use
- Increased inclusion and diversity on local and national railway lines
- Benefitting and enabling the passengers of the future

The programme is entirely tailored to each group, with a number of specific resources available, including i-hear cards for students who are partially-sighted or Blind, featuring Unified English Braille, to more authentically access rail experiences (funded by the Association of Community Rail Partnerships’ Small Grants Fund).