Higham Lane School in Nuneaton has been forced to close for a second consecutive day following a serious cyberattack that damaged its computer systems and disrupted school operations.
The school announced the initial closure on Monday, January 5, confirming it would remain closed through Tuesday, January 6, while cybersecurity specialists work to assess and contain the incident.
The disruption highlights how cyber incidents increasingly impact educational institutions, where digital systems are now integral to daily learning, administration, and communication.
Immediate Response and External Cybersecurity Support
Headteacher Michael Gannon confirmed that the decision to close the school was taken after consultations with external cybersecurity experts, who advised that systems should remain offline while investigations continue.
In response to the severity of the incident, the Department for Education’s Cyber Incident Response Team has been deployed to support the investigation. The team is working alongside IT specialists from the Central England Academy Trust to determine:
- How the attack occurred
- Which systems were affected
- Whether any sensitive data was accessed or compromised
As a precautionary measure, all students and staff were instructed not to access any school systems, including widely used platforms such as Google Classroom and SharePoint.
School officials stated that students who had previously logged in do not need to take any immediate action, but must avoid accessing school systems until the network has been confirmed safe.
Maintaining Learning Continuity During the Closure
Despite the operational disruption, school leaders have emphasized the importance of continuing education safely during the closure.
Students have been encouraged to continue learning independently, using platforms that do not connect to the school’s internal network.
Recommended External Learning Platforms
The school has directed students to several trusted, publicly available resources, including:
- BBC Bitesize – curriculum‑aligned lessons and revision content
- Oak National Academy – structured lessons across multiple subjects
These platforms enable students to continue studying on personal devices without requiring school login credentials, reducing exposure to potentially compromised systems.
Exam-Year Students Given Targeted Guidance
Recognizing the critical timing of the disruption, school leaders have provided specific guidance to students preparing for national exams.
Support for Year 11 and Year 13 Students
Students working toward GCSE and A‑Level examinations have been advised to use the closure period for structured revision.
To support this, the school confirmed that its exams and revision resources page remains accessible and secure, allowing exam‑year students to:
- Access curated revision materials
- Continue preparation without interruption
- Maintain momentum during a key academic period
This targeted approach aims to reduce the educational impact on students facing imminent assessments.
Communication and Transparency
School administrators have committed to providing regular updates to parents, carers, and students as the investigation progresses.
However, officials have not disclosed:
- The specific type of cyberattack
- Whether personal data belonging to students or staff has been accessed
This measured approach reflects standard incident‑response practices, where details are withheld until forensic analysis is complete.
A Growing Threat to the Education Sector
The incident at Higham Lane School is part of a broader trend of cyberattacks targeting educational institutions.
Schools hold extensive sensitive data, including:
- Student records
- Staff information
- Safeguarding data
- Assessment and examination materials
Combined with limited cybersecurity budgets and increasing reliance on digital platforms, these factors make schools attractive and vulnerable targets.
What may initially appear as a technical issue quickly evolves into a community‑wide disruption, affecting:
- Hundreds of families
- Teaching staff
- Students preparing for high‑stakes examinations
Why This Incident Matters
The closure underscores the real‑world consequences of cybersecurity incidents in education:
- Learning is interrupted
- Trust in digital systems is shaken
- Administrative and safeguarding processes are disrupted
As schools continue to adopt cloud‑based learning environments and digital administration tools, cyber resilience becomes as critical as physical safety.
Key Takeaway: Cybersecurity Is Now Essential to Education
The situation at Higham Lane School is a reminder that digital systems are now foundational to modern education.
Protecting these systems is no longer optional—it is essential to:
- Safeguard student and staff data
- Ensure continuity of learning
- Maintain confidence among parents and communities
As investigations continue, the incident serves as a clear lesson:
when school networks fail, the impact extends far beyond IT—it affects everyday life and future outcomes for students.
