Welcome back, and a very happy new year to all CyberFirst Wales stakeholders. As we step into the year ahead, we are excited to continue our work with schools, colleges, teachers and industry partners across Wales to inspire young people and strengthen cyber security and computing engagement. The start of a new year is an opportunity to reflect on the positive impact achieved through collaboration and to look ahead to further opportunities to support learners and educators through a structured and meaningful engagement framework.
The CyberFirst Wales Engagement Framework
At the heart of CyberFirst Wales is our engagement framework, a carefully designed programme of activities that supports learners at different stages of their education. Delivered through schools and colleges across Wales, the framework forms a key part of the CyberFirst Award and ensures consistent, high-quality engagement with cyber security and computing.
The engagement framework focuses on delivering interventions at the right time of the year, with the right group of learners to maximise interest in cyber and computing. Activities and events are targeted at different year groups as below:
Digital Forensics
- Description
Grab your hazmat suits and become a digital forensics expert as you help us solve the case of the missing chocolate bar. - Format
Training for teachers and an activity box packed with digital devices and investigation tools for learners to explore.
Enigma
- Description
Step into WW2 Bletchley Park to help crack the Enigma code and save warships in this captivating, cross curricular code breaking experience. - Format
Immersive pop up room within a room, fully kitted out like a WW2 Bletchley Park hut.
Girls Competition Taster Session
- Description
Gather your year 8 girls for an exciting puzzle solving session to prepare them for the prestigious national competition. - Format
1 hour activity delivered by a female role model.
Trailblazers
- Description
Become an Ethical Hacker, explore AI and fake news, and use your code breaking and linguistic skills to hunt down patient zero.
- Format
Interactive lessons introducing new and exciting areas of technology, encouraging learners to take a computing GCSE.
Adventurers
- Description
Step into the world of sports analysis and pick the worlds’ best Quidditch team, employ team work and logic to crack a safe and create your very own VR world. - Format
Interactive lessons introducing new and exciting areas of technology, encouraging learners to take a computing GCSE.
Empower – Girls into Cyber
- Description
Meet the revolutionary women paving the way for the next generation of female tech talent through inspiring workshops, activities and networking. - Format
A whole-day industry led event for year 10 girls interested in tech.
Curriculum Enrichment
- Description
Learn from the experts as your CyberFirst Industry Partner provides bespoke activities that bring your curriculum to life. - Format
Sessions to fit around your curriculum from industry led talks and workshops to tech company site visits.
Cyber Pathways
- Description
Demystify the world of tech and cyber by discovering different knowledge areas, meeting the experts and helping learners identify their dream careers. - Format
A whole day industry led event for learners studying Computing qualifications or expressing an interest in tech careers.
Cyber Pathways
- Description
Demystify the world of tech and cyber by discovering different knowledge areas, meeting the experts and helping learners identify their dream careers. - Format
A whole day industry led event for learners studying Computing qualifications or expressing an interest in tech careers.
Cyber Aspire
- Description
Specifically targeted at underrepresented groups, including girls and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds, a virtual escape room activity set against some of the most challenging and up to date cyber threats. - Format
3 days in early November and delivered online.
Cyber Advanced
- Description
Take the next steps steps towards a career in cyber by learning from the best and solving some of the most challenging real world problems. - Format
5 days of workshops during school holidays delivered at sites at various partner locations throughout Wales.
Bursary & Careers Talk
- Description
Learn about an exclusive and unique bursary scheme which provides valuable work placements and funded University opportunities. - Format
A 1-hour session delivered to any students expressing interest in Cyber related careers.
Together, these activities provide sustained engagement and timely interventions across age groups that help learners build skills, confidence and enthusiasm for cyber security and computing.
Collaboration and Community Impact
Strong collaboration is central to the success of CyberFirst Wales. We value the ongoing commitment of schools and colleges that embed these opportunities into learning, educators who support and inspire learners, and industry partners who bring real-world insight and expertise into our activities.
By working together, we help learners better understand the relevance of cyber security, develop essential digital skills and see the opportunities available to them in the future.
What We’ve Achieved
Looking Ahead
We recognise that this progress reflects the collective effort of teachers, partners and ambassadors working together across Wales. But, we also collectively need to do more. As we move through the year, we look forward to continuing and strengthening our partnerships. This shared effort plays a vital role in creating engaging, inclusive and impactful experiences for all young people.
We are excited for another year of collaboration.
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 the New Year to start your award application.
