From Classroom to Cyber Careers: How One School Made It Happen 

At CyberFirst Wales, we’re always talking about the benefits of our programme — and to be fair, we think they’re pretty great. But rather than just hearing it from us, we thought it was time to hand the mic over to someone on the front line. Meet Carl Wyatt, a passionate Computing teacher at St. Joseph’s RC High School and proud CyberFirst Gold Award lead. In this interview, Carl shares how CyberFirst has transformed computing at his school, inspired students, and opened doors to cyber careers and real-world opportunities — all from a teacher’s point of view. 

Becoming a CyberFirst Gold School has transformed our computing curriculum and student engagement. One of the most valuable outcomes has been the partnership with Airbus, which has delivered unforgettable, real-world learning experiences. From masterclasses in digital forensics to immersive site visits, students are now making genuine connections between classroom learning and industry careers. 

“For many of our students, these events are the first time they see the real-world application of their computing studies — and it’s transformational.” 

The CyberFirst Engagement Framework has been central to our strategy. It offers structured, age-appropriate interventions that align perfectly with our goal to boost uptake and diversity in Computing. We’ve used initiatives like the Trailblazers and Adventurers courses as targeted recruitment tools — especially effective for those undecided about choosing Computer Science at GCSE. 

The CyberFirst Girls Competition, in particular, has created a real buzz. We’ve reached the national finals three times and won in 2023. These events not only boost participation but also significantly increase female representation — our current Year 10 cohort includes 40% girls. 

CyberFirst goes beyond competitions. Events like the Pathways programme expose students to the full spectrum of cyber careers and routes into them, including apprenticeships, university, and direct employment. We’ve also embedded cyber security themes into our KS3 curriculum — from OSINT investigations to response simulations — giving learners both technical and critical thinking skills. 

“Becoming a CyberFirst school has changed the way our students view their futures.” 

Our relationship with Airbus brings the Curriculum for Wales to life by delivering meaningful CWRE (Careers and Work-Related Experiences). Recent visits to their Newport site gave students hands-on exposure to AI labs, cryptology activities, and direct engagement with interns. Some students left determined to pursue careers in the cyber sector. 

The benefits extend beyond student outcomes. As a department, we’ve built a sustainable framework that integrates cyber education into the curriculum, school culture, and community outreach — including transition work with primary schools. 

For schools considering the award, start by gathering evidence of all your cyber-related activities, and engage your leadership team early. The process is manageable with a proactive approach, and the reward is well worth the effort. 

“The award is more than a badge — it’s a catalyst for change.” 

CyberFirst addresses a critical national skills gap while offering local students — particularly in disadvantaged areas — real pathways to high-value careers. With South Wales emerging as a cyber industry hub, this programme provides timely, tangible opportunities to inspire the next generation of cyber professionals.