Cyberattack on Higham Lane School Forced to Close its Doors to all Students and Staff
Higham Lane School and Sixth Form has temporarily closed due to a cyber-attack that has disrupted its IT infrastructure.
Higham Lane School and Sixth Form has temporarily closed due to a cyber-attack that has disrupted its IT infrastructure.
The attack has affected essential digital services, including telephone lines, email servers, and the school's central management system.
Headteacher Michael Gannon informed parents and carers through emails sent between January 3 and January 5, 2026. The school remained closed on Monday, January 5, and will continue to be closed on Tuesday, January 6, as forensic experts work to manage the situation.
The school has enlisted a Cyber Incident Response Team from the Department for Education (DfE) and IT specialists from the Central England Academy Trust to investigate and restore system integrity.
Due to the network security breach, students and staff are advised not to log into any school systems, including Google Classroom and SharePoint, until further notice.
Higham Lane School and Sixth Form has temporarily closed due to a cyber-attack that has disrupted its IT infrastructure.
"As a matter of precaution, we are requesting that students do not log into any school systems," the school stated. The administration emphasized the need for a complete halt in network activity to ensure "maximum safety while investigations continue."
The school acknowledged the potential legal implications of the attack and noted its obligation to report any data breaches to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) within 72 hours, in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR.
The school is coordinating with the Local Authority Data Protection Officer to meet all safeguarding obligations.
The timing of the attack is particularly disruptive for students in Year 11 and Year 13, who are preparing for GCSE and A-Level examinations. The school has advised these students to focus on independent revision.
To minimize learning disruption, the school has directed families to external educational resources that are not tied to the compromised network. These resources are confirmed safe for access on personal devices. Additionally, the "Exams and Revision" section of the school's public website is secure for use.
While the initial goal was to reopen by Wednesday, January 7, the school has not confirmed a reopening date. "Until we fully understand the scope of the work required, I am unable to confirm this opening date at present," Gannon wrote.
Parents are advised to check the MyEd communication system and social media for updates. A further announcement is expected on Tuesday morning regarding the reopening plan.
Based on reporting by Cyber Security News.