Cyber Schools Programme
Details of a Government-funded cyber security skills programme for 14 to 18 year olds.
For the latest information about the programme please visit this page
With the UK economy becoming increasingly digital, cyber security is central to national security and continues to play an important role in ensuring the UK is a safe place to do business. There is a critical need to increase the availability of cyber security skills, so the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is investing up to £20 million in an ambitious Cyber Schools Programme.
Cyber security is an exciting industry with strong job prospects. The Cyber Schools Programme will support and encourage students to develop key skills to help defend the nation’s businesses against online threats.
The Cyber Schools Programme is for 14 to 18 year olds. A selection process will identify those with motivation and aptitude for the programme. Expert instructors will teach a comprehensive cyber security curriculum expected to mix classroom and online teaching with real-world challenges and hands-on work experience. The pilot is expected to begin in September 2017 and the programme will expand geographically in future years. The target is to have at least 5,700 teenagers participating in the programme by 2021.
DCMS is currently seeking a provider who will have flexibility to determine the most appropriate way to deliver the programme. Therefore, specific details are yet to be determined. This page will be updated as soon as further details are confirmed.
If you are a young person interested in participating in the Cyber Schools Programme
This page will be updated once further details have been determined, including information on how you can apply to participate.
In the meantime, the National Cyber Security Centre website has information about other cyber security activities you may be interested in.
If you are aged 16 or over, you may also be interested in Cyber Security CNI Apprenticeships.
If you are a school or volunteer wanting to get involved:
Engagement from schools, volunteers and experts from academia and the cyber security industry will be key to the success of this programme.
This page will be updated once further details have been determined, including information about how you can get involved.
If you are a provider interested in bidding to deliver the Cyber Schools Programme:
You can find the Invitation to Tender and submit bids via the Delta eSourcing Portal. The closing date for bids is 13 March 2017.