Cybersecurity & Cryptography Workshop
Cryptography, codebreaking, and online safety through engaging, hands-on challenges.
Curriculum Links
Curriculum Links
These are relevant curriculum areas. Exact links depend on the cohort, delivery jurisdiction and booked format.
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 can contribute to the following Gatsby Benchmarks within a school's wider careers programme.
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
Applies only when an employer or employee joins a two-way encounter with pupils and the activity includes reflection. Partner branding or a themed workshop alone does not qualify.
Benchmark 5 applies only where an employer or employee takes part in two-way interaction with pupils and the encounter includes reflection. Partner branding or a themed activity alone does not meet that benchmark.
The Gatsby Benchmarks are the national framework for good careers guidance and are referenced in statutory guidance for schools in 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 & SENDSupporting 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.
Group sizes: Up to 32 pupils per session and up to 96 pupils across the three-session Standard format.
Gifted & TalentedStretch and Challenge for High-Ability Learners
Workshop data identifies extension activities where they are available. Schools can share the cohort profile in advance so the instructor can discuss suitable challenge, grouping and adjustments for the booked format.
- 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 the Standard Experience format: 3 sessions of 90 minutes each. Exact times and breaks are agreed with the school.
| Stage | Activity |
|---|---|
| Before Session 1 | Hyett Education arrives and sets up the specialist workshop equipment in the space prepared by the school |
| Session 1 (90 minutes) | Class group 1 (up to 32 pupils) |
| Between Sessions 1 and 2 | Changeover or break, as agreed with the school |
| Session 2 (90 minutes) | Class group 2 (up to 32 pupils) |
| Between Sessions 2 and 3 | Changeover or break, as agreed with the school |
| Session 3 (90 minutes) | Class group 3 (up to 32 pupils) |
| After Session 3 | Hyett Education packs down its workshop equipment; the school retains its normal site and pupil-supervision duties |
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
Note: Up to 32 pupils per session and up to 96 pupils across the three-session Standard format.
School Reviews
What Schools Say
A fantastic workshop. Very informative to the children and allowed them to understand what cyber security is and why it is important. The activities were age appropriate and engaging. The final activity allowed the children to use the skills they had learnt to open the safe. Thank you!
The children absolutely loved the hands on approach, it has definitely inspired a few of our children to become the next cyber security pros!
A well-paced, engaging workshop that enthused all pupils, including the most challenging. It offered valuable professional development, with content relevant to modern e-safety and inspiring interest in cyber security careers for the pupils.
The perfect level of challenge and accessibility for the children to be successful. Loved the input of the historical background and how each activity was modelled to the children before they had a go. Such a brilliant workshop, perfect for this age group. We loved it. Vocab and computing knowledge was well embedded and the children have definitely gone away knowing what encryption and decryption means and the importance of strong passwords.
The leader of the workshop was amazing! He was so knowledgeable, built a great rapport with the children and was super friendly to staff and children. The equipment he used to model and demonstrate to the children was fantastic. He knew the common misconceptions and preempted them, he took the instructions step by step and gave clear directions. His behaviour management was on point too! Thank you so much!
The Cryptography workshop run by Mr Anderson was outstanding. It engaged all pupils, even one of our most challenging pupils, who doesn't usually last 20 minutes without a break, completed the whole session. The instructions given to pupils were very clear and the challenge was superb. Amazing session by an excellent teacher!
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