As the summer term unfolds and welcome the (hopefully) warmer weather, we have some brilliant news to share from across the nation. More schools are being recognised for the fantastic work they are doing to inspire the next generation of cyber talent. From brand new award holders to upgraded statuses, this has been a term full of momentum, ambition, and real pride for the CyberFirst Schools community in Wales.
At CyberFirst Wales, we are always proud to shine a light on the schools and colleges that are building strong digital foundations for learners. That happens through lessons, clubs, enrichment, careers activity, and a whole-school commitment to developing cyber skills and awareness. This term, that commitment has been on full display.
A warm welcome to our newest CyberFirst Schools
Please join us in congratulating the following schools who have achieved CyberFirst Schools recognition this term.
Bronze Award
St Joseph’s Catholic and Anglican Secondary School
Ysgol Brynhyfryd
Silver Award
Cyfarthfa High School
Penyrheol Comprehensive
Castell Alun High School
Radyr High School
Each of these awards represents sustained effort. That includes embedding cyber and digital skills into the curriculum, creating meaningful extracurricular opportunities, connecting learners with employers, and widening participation so that every young person can see themselves thriving in a digital future.
Milestones worth shouting about
This term has not just been about growth in numbers. It has also been about new ground being broken.
Our first CyberFirst Schools in North Wales
A huge highlight this term is welcoming our first schools in North Wales into the CyberFirst Schools community. That is a significant step forward for national coverage and a clear sign of the cyber ambition building across the region.
Congratulations to Castell Alun High School (Silver), St Joseph’s Catholic and Anglican Secondary School (Bronze) and Ysgol Brynhyfryd (Bronze) for helping to lead the way. This is exactly the kind of progress we love to see, with more learners in more places gaining access to cyber opportunities and pathways.
Our first CyberFirst School in Merthyr Tydfil
We are also delighted to celebrate Cyfarthfa High School achieving Silver, marking our first CyberFirst school in Merthyr Tydfil. This is a brilliant milestone for the area and a testament to the work happening locally to build digital confidence, skills, and aspiration.
Expanding further out west
We have also seen the CyberFirst footprint growing further west this term. Penyrheol Comprehensive achieving Silver, is a powerful reminder that cyber education and opportunity are not limited to one part of Wales. They are spreading, and they are gaining pace.
Gold standard success
Alongside our new award holders, we have two achievements that deserve special recognition.
Merthyr Tydfil College
A huge congratulations to Merthyr Tydfil College for retaining its Gold status. Maintaining Gold is no small feat. It reflects a continued, sustained commitment to excellence in cyber education, engagement, and progression.
St Albans (Pontypool)
An equally big well done to St Albans in Pontypool, who have moved up from Silver to Gold. That kind of progress speaks volumes about what is possible when schools keep building, refining, and expanding their offer, step by step and term by term with their industry partner (Office for National Statistics).
Welcoming New Industry Partners
We are also delighted to welcome new industry partners who are joining the CyberFirst Wales community this term. A warm welcome to Chetwood, Toyota, Ministry of Justice, Companies House, and ITCS, all of whom are stepping in to support our growing network.
Their involvement will help bring cyber learning to life for students through employer insight, real world context, and meaningful engagement. As our newest award schools come on board, these partners will now work alongside them to strengthen opportunities, build confidence, and help learners see the pathways into cyber and digital careers across Wales.
What this means for Wales
Every new award strengthens the collective CyberFirst community in Wales. It means:
This term’s successes show clearly that CyberFirst Schools recognition is becoming a national movement. It is reaching new areas, celebrating sustained excellence, and creating visible pathways for young people.
To every staff member involved, diolch
Awards like these do not happen by accident. They are built on the dedication of educators, technicians, senior leaders, governors, and wider partners who make space for cyber in busy school and college settings. To everyone involved in these achievements, thank you, and congratulations!
Become a CyberFirst School
If you’re a school or college in Wales and want to enjoy the benefit of CyberFirst, there’s no better time than now to start your award application.
