Cybersecurity & Cryptography Workshop
Cryptography, codebreaking, and online safety through engaging, hands-on challenges.
Curriculum Links
National Curriculum Alignment
This workshop directly supports the following curriculum areas.
Computing
Online safety, data protection, encryption
Mathematics
Pattern recognition, logical reasoning
History
History of code-making and breaking
Careers Framework
Gatsby Benchmark Alignment
This workshop supports the following Gatsby Benchmarks for good career guidance, the framework used by schools and Ofsted to evaluate careers provision.
Learning from Career and Labour Market Information
Introduces students to cybersecurity careers, one of the fastest-growing and most in-demand sectors in the UK, with significant skills shortages and strong graduate prospects.
Linking Curriculum Learning to Careers
Connects computing curriculum topics such as online safety, data protection, and encryption to professional cybersecurity and intelligence roles.
Encounters with Employers and Employees
When delivered on behalf of defence partners, provides a meaningful employer encounter demonstrating how cryptography and cybersecurity skills protect national security.
The Gatsby Benchmarks are the national framework for careers guidance in schools, embedded in statutory guidance and used by over 4,700 schools across England.
Learning Outcomes
What Students Will Achieve
- Understand basic encryption and decryption techniques
- Break codes using analytical thinking
- Learn why cybersecurity matters in the modern world
- Develop strategies for staying safe online
- Apply mathematical and logical reasoning
- Work in teams to solve codebreaking challenges
In the Classroom
Workshop in Action
Inclusivity & SEND
Supporting Every Learner
Our instructors have extensive experience working across different school environments, including mainstream, SEND, SEMH, alternative provision, pupil referral units, and special schools. Every activity is scaffolded and differentiated so that all learners can access the content, experience success, and develop confidence. We use adaptive teaching strategies, manage cognitive load carefully, and provide visual supports and learning mats. Schools can share specific needs in advance so we can plan accordingly. The Cybersecurity workshop combines hands-on cipher challenges with digital activities, giving multiple access points for different learning styles. Physical code-breaking activities are particularly engaging for kinaesthetic learners, while the historical context provides rich cross-curricular connections.
Gifted & Talented
Stretch and Challenge for High-Ability Learners
Every workshop includes built-in extension challenges designed to stretch gifted and talented students. Open-ended tasks, advanced programming objectives, and real-world problem-solving scenarios ensure high-ability learners are fully engaged alongside their peers.
- Tiered challenges allow students to progress at their own pace, from guided tasks to independent problem-solving
- Higher-order thinking through debugging, optimisation, and creative design challenges
- Competition pathways — workshops build skills relevant to FIRST LEGO League, Raspberry Pi competitions, Cyber Discovery, and CREST Awards
- Career connections — students discover how workshop skills translate into real engineering, computing, and science careers
Schools can share information about gifted and talented cohorts in advance so our instructors can prepare targeted extension activities.
Session Structure
Typical Workshop Day
Based on a Standard format (3 × 90-minute sessions). Timetables are flexible and adapted to your school day.
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 07:45 – 09:00 | Hyett Education team arrives, sets up all equipment and prepares the workshop space |
| 09:00 – 10:30 | Session 1: First class group (up to 30 students) |
| 10:30 – 10:45 | Changeover and break |
| 10:45 – 12:15 | Session 2: Second class group (up to 30 students) |
| 12:15 – 13:15 | Lunch break (1 hour) |
| 13:15 – 14:45 | Session 3: Third class group (up to 30 students) |
| 14:45 – 15:00 | Session ends |
| 15:00 – 15:30 | Pack down all equipment. Nothing for school to do |
Workshop Formats
Choose Your Format
Choose the format that suits your school timetable. All formats include full setup and packdown by our team.
In-Depth Experience
120-150 minutes per session
Two focused sessions for deeper exploration
Standard Experience
90 minutes per session
Three sessions reaching more students
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