Didcot Railway Centre offers pupils an exciting opportunity to visit an historical site where they can learn, and gain hands-on experience, about many topics in the science, technology and social history aspects of the curriculum at stages 1, 2 and 3.
Find out about science and engineering in practical ways:
Presentations about Brunel, Stephenson and the work of the great Victorian engineers, and the economic and social changes and benefits.
Come dressed as an evacuee and visit our authentic air-raid shelter with wartime audio effects and artefacts. Be evacuated by steam train (steam days only).
Presentations available about life in wartime Britain covering food, clothes and rationing.
Learn about the impact of the railway on your town. Includes a presentation covering the social and economic effects of the railway on the population and the response to the new technology (most local, and some other towns, covered).
Presentations offered on the development of transport from the horse and carriage, through canals and roads to the railway.
Covers the economic and commercial benefits which came with the railway era. Visit the footplate of a steam locomotive and sit in the carriages of the era.
Learn about steam power and steam engines on our interactive consoles with practical explanations at the coal stage and on real engines. This exercise can contain leverage and measurement.
A presentation illustrating the social and economic impact of the coming of the railways during the reign of Queen Victoria, highlighting the life and times of Victorian children. Includes a visit to see a Victorian locomotive and carriage.
During the last year, three of the locomotive restoration groups, the Carriage and Wagon Department and the Civil Engineering Group at Didcot Railway Centre have been offering heavy engineering placements to students from local school and colleges.
Special arrangements have been made with partner schools for work experience to take place during weekends and school holidays.
