Cyberattack simulation taking place today

What is happening today?

For 24 hours, the college is operating as though our IT systems and telephones are unavailable. Cyberattacks are a real risk for schools, colleges, universities and workplaces. A serious incident could disrupt online services with little or no warning. This simulation helps the college test its emergency plans in a safe and realistic way. It also gives students valuable experience of how organisations respond when technology is disrupted. The exercise supports important employability skills, including adaptability, problem-solving, communication, and resilience.

This means staff and students may not be able to use college computers, college email, OneDrive, internal phone extensions or online systems that depend on the college network. Lessons and support services are continuing using offline plans, printed resources, practical activities, discussions, group work and other planned learning. Students are not being left to manage this alone. Staff are available throughout the day to guide, reassure and support them.

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What students should do

Students should:

• Attend college as normal unless told otherwise
• Go to their usual lesson, workshop or agreed meeting point
• Follow instructions from teachers, support staff and reception
• Speak to a member of staff immediately if they feel worried, unsafe or unsure
• Use their own mobile phone only in line with normal college expectations

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Contact information

Please use the following contact routes only where needed.

Urgent safeguarding concern	07824 300680
Student absence	07785 511267
Non-urgent enquiries	For non-urgent enquiries, please email your usual college contact. Responses may be delayed until systems are restored.

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Information for Parents and Carers

Please be reassured that this is a planned and managed exercise.

Safeguarding, first aid, supervision and support arrangements remain in place. Staff are on site and available to support students throughout the day.

Students can use their own mobile phones, subject to normal expectations for phone use during lessons. Mobile data, text messages and apps such as WhatsApp should continue to work where students have access through their own device and mobile provider.

For non-urgent matters, please email as usual and wait until systems are restored before expecting a response.

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Information for employers and placement providers

Students and apprentices will not be able to access college email, online learning platforms or other college systems during the simulation.

Teaching, learning and support are continuing through offline arrangements.

If you need to contact the college about an urgent matter relating to a student, apprentice, placement or safeguarding concern, please use the contact routes below.

For non-urgent matters, please email your usual college contact and wait until systems are restored before expecting a response.

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FAQ

Is this a real cyberattack?
No. This is a planned cyberattack simulation. It is a controlled exercise designed to test the college’s emergency plans.

Is the college open?
Yes. The college is open and students should attend as normal unless they have been told otherwise by their course leader, teacher or assessor.

Are students safe?
Yes. Safeguarding, first aid and staff support remain in place throughout the day.

Can I phone the college?
Internal telephones are being treated as unavailable as part of the exercise. Please use the contact routes listed on this page.

Can I email the college?
You can still send non-urgent emails, but staff may not be able to access or respond to them until systems are restored.

Can students use their phones?
Students may use their own mobile phones in line with normal college expectations. Mobile data, text messages and apps such as WhatsApp should continue to work if available through the student’s own device and provider.

What should a student do if they are worried?
They should speak to a member of staff immediately. This could be their teacher, student support staff, reception or any trusted member of college staff.