Blacon High School in Cheshire has announced a temporary closure following a significant ransomware attack that occurred on Friday, January 17, 2025. The school will remain closed to students on Monday, January 20, and Tuesday, January 21, as an independent cyber-security firm investigates the incident and assesses the potential impact on data security.
Head teacher Rachel Hudson communicated to parents that the situation is being taken seriously and that the school is working diligently to understand the full extent of the breach. She indicated that further closures may be necessary depending on the findings of the investigation. “We have an independent cyber-security company working in school to understand exactly what has happened,” Ms. Hudson stated, emphasizing the increasing frequency of such attacks despite existing security measures.
During this closure period, teachers will focus on re-planning lessons and will utilize Google Classroom to assign work for students to complete from home. The school aims to resume operations as soon as it is deemed safe, with updates expected to be communicated to parents promptly.
For students who need lunch during this time, arrangements have been made for them to collect meals at the school reception between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM GMT on January 20 and 21. Ms. Hudson has urged patience from parents and students alike as they navigate this challenging situation, particularly for Year 11 students who are preparing for their exams.
This incident highlights a troubling trend of ransomware attacks targeting educational institutions, which have become more prevalent in recent years. Schools across the UK, as well as other public services like the NHS, have increasingly found themselves vulnerable to such cyber threats. As Blacon High School works through this crisis, it serves as a reminder of the importance of robust cybersecurity measures in protecting sensitive information and maintaining operational integrity in educational environments.