.jpg?v=d7f1b62159b21f52fe14df30fdc0f34b)
NHS cyber attack 'should prompt schools to take precautions'
Schools must take precautions to improve their cyber security defences in order to avoid falling prey to the kind of large-scale attacks that struck the NHS earlier this month.
This is according to a number of experts speaking to the education sector publication Schools Week, who said more and more schools are being affected by the type of ransomware viruses that temporarily crippled NHS systems on May 12th.
Ken Corish, online safety director at the education tech charity South West Grid for Learning, said "tens of schools" in the south-west of England alone had been affected over the past year, with some losing thousands of pounds to hackers as a result.
Meanwhile, Steve Proffitt, deputy head of the national cyber crime reporting centre Action Fraud, said: "Schools using old Windows systems are incredibly vulnerable. If systems are susceptible, the virus could go into your finance details and empty your budget for the year."
There are numerous kinds of malicious program that can severely disrupt school systems, but ransomware - which encrypt a computer's data to bar users from accessing it, unless they agree to pay the hackers a ransom - can be particularly damaging.
Mr Corish noted that viruses of this kind do not need to specifically target schools to cause a problem, as they tend to proliferate where defences are weak, in a similar manner to a common cold virus.
As such, the experts said teachers need to be trained to recognise virus attacks and to prevent them by not opening suspicious links or attachments in emails, even if they know the alleged sender.
Schools should have a data protection strategy, with sensitive data backed up off-site or using cloud services, while antiviral and anti-malware software should be purchased and kept up to date.
Finally, a plan of action should be devised in the case of a hack, with infected machines isolated from the rest of the network, before school authorities and parents are notified.
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Towcester
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Northamptonshire
Description
SEN Tutor – Towcester Primary or Secondary) | £25–£30 per hourAre you a passionate and experienced SEN tutor looking to make a real difference?We are seeking a dedicated SEN Tutor to work with student
Reference
KG16/09Tutor-Tow
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Central TuitionAuthor
Central TuitionSalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Daventry
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Northamptonshire
Description
Inspire the Next Generation as a Tutor in Daventry & Surrounding AreasAre you passionate about Maths and English and eager to make a real impact in young people’s lives?Teaching Personnel is seeking d
Reference
KG16/09-Tutor-NN11
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Central TuitionAuthor
Central TuitionSalary
£13.75 - 14.50 per hour
Location free text
Blackburn
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
SEND Support
Location
Blackburn
Description
Teaching Assistant – Alternative Provision Location: Blackburn Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 3:20pm Pay: £13.75 – £14.50 per hourAre you passionate about making a difference in the lives of young p
Reference
KA 16/09TA
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Lancashire SENAuthor
Lancashire SENSalary
£13.50 - 15.00 per hour
Location free text
Preston
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
SEN General
Location
Lancashire
Description
Sensory Support Specialist Location: Preston, LancashireContract: Full-Time, Term-Time Only – Temp to Perm via AgencyStart Date: ASAPAbout the RoleWe are seeking a dedicated and skilled Sensory Suppor
Reference
16.09.2025
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Lancashire SENAuthor
Lancashire SENSalary
£160 - 200 per day
Location free text
Bradford
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
SEN General
Location
West Yorkshire
Description
Job Title: SEN Teacher Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire Salary: £160 – £200 per day (dependent on experience and qualifications) Contract Type: Full-time / Temporary / Part-time (potential for long-
Reference
SEN Teacher BD ES
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£100 - 110 per day
Location free text
Northamptonshire
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Primary SEN Support
Location
Northamptonshire
Description
1:1 SEN Teaching Assistant roles availableLocation: Northampton & DaventryHours: 8:30-3:30 monday to friday (possibility of some half day roles for the right candidate)Start date: October We are look
Reference
NORRE55
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Northants & Counties PrimaryAuthor
Northants & Counties PrimarySalary
£150 - 220 per day
Location free text
Harrogate
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
Harrogate
Description
Secondary Supply Teachers Wanted – Harrogate – September 2025 Start Position: Secondary Supply Teachers Location: Wakefield, West Yorkshire Start Date: September 2025 Salary: £140 – £225 per day (d
Reference
Supply Tch HG ES
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£13.50 - 15.00 per hour
Location free text
Preston
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
SEND Support
Location
Lancashire
Description
Educational Health Care Assistant – SEN SchoolsWe are looking for caring and dedicated Educational Health Care Assistants to join our team, supporting children and young people in specialist SEN schoo
Reference
16.09.2025 PR1
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Lancashire SENAuthor
Lancashire SENSalary
£90 - 100 per day
Location free text
Rochdale
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
PMLD
Location
Rochdale
Description
Are you looking for a new exciting experience where you can make a real change to young peoples lives through education.We are looking for passionate and qualified Teaching assistants to join one our
Reference
71 ROCH 1
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester West SENAuthor
Manchester West SENSalary
Market related
Location free text
Daventry
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
Northamptonshire
Description
Class Supply Teachers - Daventry We are working alongside a few fantastic primary schools in Daventry who are looking for supply teachers to work with them on a temporary and part time basis.They are
Reference
NORRE54
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Northants & Counties PrimaryAuthor
Northants & Counties PrimaryRelated posts
.jpg)
Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
Walking into a teaching interview can be nerve-wracking, even for experienced teachers. The secret? Preparation. Knowing what to expect, understanding the school, and thinking through your answer

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
Pay is always a big topic for teachers and school leaders, and with good reason. It affects career choices, retention, and how schools plan. With a 4% rise confirmed for the next academic term, 20

Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
The start of a new academic year brings a mix of excitement and challenge. New timetables and faces are balanced with the realities of staffing, planning, and ensuring the school settles quickly i

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
Schools are under pressure. Behaviour issues are rising, pupil needs are more complex, and staff are stretched. In 2024, 18.4% of children in England were reported to have some form of special edu

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
Today’s classroom is a busy, complex, and emotionally charged environment. Educators need to teach, support, manage behaviour, and connect with learners who may be carrying far more than their sch

Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
The future of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) support in the UK is undergoing significant focus and reform. It’s a complicated landscape as the government considers tightening th

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
In December 2024, the government announced new specialist places in mainstream schools to better support pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Yet, staff shortages limit s

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
Recent statistics highlight gaps in SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) training and support for educators. The government wants more SEND pupils in mainstream schools. At the same t

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
In 2024, the National Audit Office (NAO) highlighted the crisis in the SEND system, noting limited progress in making mainstream schools more inclusive. Without further investment and changes, t

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
How to navigate SEND funding for 2025-26 As government funding for special education needs and disabilities (SEND) evolves, schools face critical challenges securing essential resources. Sch
Register with us
for work in schools across England & Wales
Register today
Recent job