Cyber at Bournside

 

Cheltenham Bournside School is dedicated to equipping students with the skills needed to thrive in a tech-driven future. By integrating cyber education into the curriculum, we provide opportunities for students to enhance their digital literacy and explore critical areas such as data protection, safe online practices, and ethical hacking. Our programs ensure students gain both foundational knowledge and hands-on experience to navigate the digital world with confidence.

Our students are proud to be part of the computer science journey, developing their intrinsic knowledge in key areas like cybersecurity, AI, and programming. They actively engage in enrichment activities that connect them with industry leaders and real-world challenges, including:

  • Year 9: Attended the Empower Cyber Event, collaborating with Southwest employers on tasks involving data analysis, programming and AI.
  • Year 12: Participated in the Unlock Cyber Careers event at UWE Bristol, gaining insights from software companies and exploring in-demand cybersecurity careers.
  • Year 8: Excelled in the CyberFirst Girls Competition, securing 8th place at the regional level and building a strong foundation in computer science.
  • Industry Experts: Hosted workshops by FPGA and L3Harris Technologies, who connect the space, air, land, sea, and cyber domains in the interest of national security. These sessions focused on advanced technologies and career pathways in these critical fields.
  • Sixth Form: Participated in a virtual session with Microsoft, with several students earning interview opportunities for Level 4 apprenticeships.

We are always learning to adapt to how the digital world is changing and equipping our students to face these challenges. We also have exciting future events planned, including a visit to UWE Bristol for Year 7, 8, and 9, with a special focus on empowering women in the cybersecurity space. In collaboration with the NCSC, part of GCHQ, we are planning future events and workshops to cater to the needs of all our students. Additionally, our department offers numerous after-school clubs, such as Coding Club, Robotics Club, and Creative Media Club, with plans for a Micro bit Club underway. All our learning experiences are grounded in practical, real-life applications, ensuring students gain valuable skills for the future.

These experiences, combined with our robust curriculum, highlight our commitment to offering students endless opportunities to engage with cutting-edge technology and prepare for impactful careers in cybersecurity, AI, and beyond.

Computer Science Team

Hayden Hunt
Abi Kumar
Charlotte Rubringer
Rob Waters

 

We are respectfulWe are ambitiousWe are purposefulWe are supportiveWe are proudWe are curious