Full Steam Ahead! Year 1’s Trip to Didcot Railway Centre
21st March 2025
On Wednesday, Year 1 had an exciting journey into the past with a curriculum enrichment trip to Didcot Railway Centre, perfectly tying in with their transport topic from last term. The 21-acre living railway museum brought history to life as the children explored nearly 200 years of railway heritage.
The day was packed with hands-on activities and real-life experiences, helping pupils understand how the railways transformed life in Victorian times.
They:
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Climbed aboard a real steam engine, discovering how it worked from an expert driver.
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Compared old and new carriages, experiencing how railway travel became more comfortable over time (but what if it rained or snowed?).
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Tested their signalling skills, learning how railway signals keep passengers and trains safe.
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Took a ride on a train, experiencing the magic of train travel firsthand!
The visit also introduced the children to Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the visionary behind the Great Western Railway, and they explored what life was like before the railways changed Britain forever.
Mrs Wynn even met a volunteer at the centre that attended Whitekights back in 1962
This trip was a memorable, hands-on day of history, engineering, and adventure!
