Schools recognised by cyber experts

The National Cyber Security Centre has announced that 14 schools and colleges across the UK are the latest to receive CyberFirst Schools status for their excellent cyber security teaching.

The programme recognises schools and colleges that can show their dedication to inspiring the next generation of cyber security experts and addressing the UK’s cyber skills gap. The successful schools demonstrated a range of work aimed at engaging pupils, including offering lunchtime coding clubs, sessions where pupils could pitch Internet of Things concepts, and running projects linking computing to medical sciences.

Four schools received the Gold status: Cardiff High School, Cardiff; Cardiff and Vale College, Cardiff; Coleg Cambria, North East Wales; and Saint Ronan’s College, Lurgan.

Now, more cyber-savvy schools across the country are being encouraged to join the initiative, as a new call for recognition opened, including to schools in the South West of England for the first time.

Chris Ensor, NCSC Deputy Director for Cyber Growth, said: “Congratulations to all the schools and colleges that have been awarded CyberFirst Schools status for their first-rate approaches to teaching cyber security skills.

“It is inspiring to see the wide range of opportunities being offered to pupils and I’m delighted to welcome the schools to our growing community from around the UK. Through the CyberFirst Schools initiative, the NCSC continues to work with schools and local communities to inspire the next generation of cyber security experts.”