Network Rail

Lightbulb Moments

Lightbulb Moments with Network Rail is a fun and interactive half-day workshop where students learn about the rail industry and develop their employability skills.

  • KS3
    P7
    S1
    S2
    Year 7
    Year 8
    England
    Wales
    Scotland
    • 50-60 students
    • 3.5 to 4.5 hour workshop
    • Basingstoke, Birmingham, Bristol, Derby, Didcot, Exeter, Glasgow, Gloucester, London (South & West), Manchester, Milton Keynes, Motherwell, Neath/Port Talbot, Oxford, Peterborough, Reading, Swansea
    • Free
  • What's involved?

    In this hands-on workshop, students are challenged to reimagine what a modern train station could look like. Working as a team from a creative brief, they design an inclusive and accessible station that meets the diverse needs of all passengers.

    Throughout the session, students develop key skills from the Skills Builder Framework, including:

    • Speaking: articulating ideas clearly and confidently
    • Problem Solving: navigating complex challenges
    • Creativity: thinking outside the box to design innovative solutions

    A highlight of the workshop is a simulated ‘difficult conversation’ with stakeholders impacted by the new station. Students must listen, negotiate, and adapt their designs to address real-world concerns -learning the importance of compromise in collaborative projects.

    At the end of the workshop, students present their final station concepts, showcasing original features and explaining how they’ve responded to accessibility needs and stakeholder feedback.

    In addition to developing essential skills for the workplace, the programme introduces students to a range of exciting career paths in the rail industry. Each workshop is supported by volunteers from Network Rail, offering students a unique opportunity to connect with industry professionals and learn about their different career paths.

    Who's this suitable for?

    This programme is available to students in Years 7 - 8, or S1 - S2 in Scotland.

    The student cohort should be at least 50% female.

    Where is this delivered?

    This programme is primarily delivered in-person.

    Gatsby benchmarks

    Gatsby benchmark 2

    Learning from career and labour market information

    Gatsby benchmark 5

    Encounters with employers and employees

    Make an enquiry

    Step 1 - Phone our Schools Engagement Team

    Phone our Schools Engagement Team on 0207 148 0934 to check eligibility*.

    *Places are allocated on a ‘first come first served’ basis to schools in our target cohort (higher than average numbers of pupils eligible for pupil premium funding).

    Step 2 - Submit an online enquiry

    Make an online enquiry