41 pupils from the school went to Sandwich railway station where they were taken on a trip to Dover Priory station and a look round the station and the driver’s cab of an empty train.
After the tour, the pupils were given the opportunity to make ‘mind the gap’ announcements on the station tannoy and even blow their whistles on the platform before trains left.
They were also given talks on how to use the railway safely.
The trip on Monday 18 July was organised by Passenger Services project manager, Paul Randall and was set up to give the children a head start by educating them about the railway.
After their day, Paul Randall along with Station Manager James Scott set the children the task of drawing a picture of their day out. The winner will be chosen by another manager within Southeastern and will receive a prize pack including a family ticket to use anywhere on the Southeastern network.
All entries will also be displayed at Sandwich station over the entirety of the summer holidays for the pupils and their families to go and view.
Sandwich Infant School will also be taking part in a station adoption scheme at Sandwich station from September, which will involve helping to tidy up the front of the station and re-planting the flower beds.
Southeastern passenger services project manager Paul Randall said: “We are really pleased to be able to give children from Sandwich Infant School the chance to come and have some fun on the railway. We made the day educational as well as fun and we hope this sets them up in good stead for their future journeys with Southeastern.”
Sandwich Infant School Headteacher Libby Wood said: “We are so grateful to all the staff at Dover Priory station.
“The Year One children had a fabulous day, from the train trip either way to having the opportunity to see what it is like to be a member of staff at the station. The children struggled to pick out a favourite part of the visit – they loved blowing the whistle for the train to leave the station – but making the announcement “Mind the Gap” on the tannoy seemed to top the lot!”