Thousands of children engaged in their local heritage - SDR200

September 26th 2025

To celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the Birth of the Railways, Spark was commissioned by Tees Valley Museums to develop a set of resources for schools to tell the story in an engaging and relevant way. After trialling with schools last year, they have formed the basis of an online Challenge Day which schools across the NE (and beyond!) are using to develop work place based skills whilst learning about one of the most influential events in the history of humankind. A bit of a big claim? Watch the videos and children from St Bede´s in Stockton will explain how the railway drove the industrial revolution, urbanisation, expansion and connection between cities and en time itself. One section also focusses on the impact that the railway had in developing Teesside as a powerhouse of innovation, engineering and ...er....ice cream. The videos are short and are the starting point for children to engage with the information then respond in an appropriate way. We expect posters, ´live´ reports form the opening day, letters, flyers, artwork, podcasts....and all of their work will be celebrated through the interactive map that can be accessed on the Spark website. Over 15000 children have been signed up by their teachers and Headteachers so far and many will be sending in examples of their work.

Spark works with schools to develop innovative projects that offer children the opportunity to learn, build confidence and find their own voice in the world. We are currently working in over half of Tees Valley schools (and many further afield) so that children leave primary schools understanding something of their own agency and how their learning relates to roles in different sectors. Please let us know if you would like to be involved in changing children´s futures.

Click here to see the resources and children´s work: www.sparkteesvalley.com