Cyber First Schools
From 1st April 2024 Cyber First Yorkshire will be actively recruiting schools from across the region. Please complete the form below to express your interest and we will contact you in due course with additional information.
What is the CyberFirst Schools / Colleges scheme?
The NCSC is formally recognising schools and colleges in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the North East, North West, South West of England and Yorkshire who are committed to providing a structured approach to excellence in cyber security education.
The NCSC has appointed a home nation or regional partner and they will manage the assessment and evaluation of CyberFirst School applications; the growth of the CyberFirst Schools community in the area and help facilitate engagement between industry and schools in the region through events and cyber related activities.
What are the benefits to schools and colleges?
The NCSC aims to recognise those schools and colleges whose approach to cyber and cyber security education is excellent. Schools and colleges that achieve this recognition can expect to be:
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formally recognised and promoted by the National Cyber Security Centre
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provided with opportunities to engage with local and national companies seeking to invest time, expertise and resources in schools and colleges
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provided with opportunities to engage with Universities seeking to invest time, expertise and resources in local schools and colleges
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a focal point for other CyberFirst activities
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provided with an opportunity to be a part of CISSE UK
How are schools and colleges recognised?
The National Cyber Security Centre will present one of 3 certificates - Gold, Silver or Bronze - which reflect the current stage of the school's or college's cyber security teaching, strategic ambition and development plans
Gold Schools
They will have evidenced their commitment and dedication to delivering excellence in cyber security education. The Gold Award will be awarded for a period of 3 years.
Silver Schools
As well as evidencing their commitment to delivering good standards of cyber security education, they must also have plans to achieve Gold Award, which is fully supported by their Senior Leadership Team (SLT).
The Silver Award will be for a period of 2 years during which the school/college must apply for Gold Award recognition to ensure that there is no period where a school/college does not have an award in place.
Bronze Schools
They will have evidenced aspirational goals to deliver good cyber security education, as well as their plan, supported by Senior Leadership, to achieve them.
The Bronze Award is awarded for 18 months after which the school/college must apply for a Silver or Gold Award.