If you follow the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC, a part of GCHQ) on social media ( https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-cyber-security-centre ), you may already be aware of their national CyberFirst programme for schools and colleges. The aim is to inspire and develop cyber security awareness and a passion for technology through all of the student key-stage development years.
General background information about CyberFirst can be found at: https://www.cyberfirstschools.co.uk/
The NCSC have recognised that online safety is something that needs to be acknowledged at an early learning age, and so have created educational resources online for teachers and students to help raise awareness of online security and safety. The following link is a good introduction to how 7 to 11-year-old children can be encouraged to think about online safety, including a fun “Cyber Sprinters” online game to get the youngsters engaged with the subject:
https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/cybersprinters
If you are already a Cyber / STEM Ambassador, and unsure what kind of cyber presentations would work well with this age group, NCSC have provided some background security resources relevant to their curriculum study:
https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/cybersprinters/practitioner-led-activities/activity-resources
For those parents keen to encourage curiosity and safe online practices for their own children, the Cyber Sprinters game can be played via a web browser at home. NCSC have provided some additional puzzles to solve at home here:
https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/cybersprinters/home-activities
If you’d like to learn more about becoming a voluntary Cyber Ambassador, either as an individual or to fulfil an organisation’s CSR goals, please do not hesitate to contact Andrew Pounder (CyberNorth Business Engagement Manager) directly: