Key Stage 3

Codes & Ciphers

Years 7, 8 and 9

On-site or outreach

From Ancient Greece to the modern day, people have been using increasingly complex codes and ciphers with the intention of communicating secretly and keeping information secure. Enigma was one such cipher. Students will enjoy the rare opportunity to use a genuine Enigma machine as well as encountering a range of historical codes and ciphers as they work together to decipher messages in order to solve a puzzle. This session includes an Enigma machine demonstration.

During this session students will:

• Increase their knowledge of codes and ciphers and their uses throughout history.

• Develop their understanding of the role that ciphers played during WW2, with specific reference to the Enigma machine and the wider operations of Bletchley Park.

• Use and develop team working, problem-solving and mathematical thinking skills, applying them to a practical codebreaking task.

Subject Focus: Maths

Additional curriculum links: History

Interception to Intelligence: Battle of the Atlantic

Years 7, 8 and 9

On-site

It is 1941 and the Battle of the Atlantic is at its height. Numerous convoys of essential supplies are being sunk by German Wolf packs and Britain is close to surrender. In the role of codebreakers students will intercept and decipher German Naval communications in order to plan a strategy to get the next convoy safely to Liverpool. This session includes an Enigma machine demonstration.

During this session students will:

• Develop their knowledge and understanding of WWII events and the role of Bletchley Park in the Battle of the Atlantic.

• Briefly describe the process of decryption at Bletchley Park, from when a message is first intercepted until the intelligence is used.

• Apply team working, problem-solving and strategic thinking skills to obtain and apply scenario-based intelligence.

• Students will also have the opportunity to see an Enigma machine and have a go at Morse code.

Subject Focus: History

Additional curriculum links: Geography, Maths

Interception to Intelligence: D-Day

Years 7, 8 and 9

On-site

It is the early hours of 6th June 1944. Weather prevented Operation Overlord commencing in the early hours of June 5th so today is the best, and perhaps last, chance the Allies have of beginning the invasion of German-occupied Western Europe. Numerous deception plans have been put into place to fool the enemy and protect Allied troops. In the role of codebreakers students will intercept and decipher German communications in order to decide if the deception plans have been successful and whether it is safe to proceed with the invasion. This session includes an Enigma machine demonstration.

During this session students will:

• Develop their knowledge and understanding of WW2 events and the role of Bletchley Park in the D-Day landings.

• Briefly describe the process of decryption at Bletchley Park, from when a message is first intercepted until the intelligence is used.

• Apply team working, problem-solving and strategic thinking skills to obtain and apply scenario-based intelligence.

Subject Focus: History

Additional curriculum links: Geography, Maths

Securing our Cyber World

Year 7 only

On-site or outreach

All connected devices use password logins, and new apps and devices are increasingly including fingerprint and facial recognition technology. Your students use them all day, every day, but do they have any ideas how these technologies actually work? This workshop allows students to apply a wide range of the mathematic principles they are learning at school, whilst thinking about their own personal cyber security. 

Through discussion, interactive demonstrations and practical activities, students will:

• Consider the devices and apps they use that are secured using logins.

• Establish mathematically why the best passwords are random, complex and long.

• Apply their knowledge of geometry to investigate how biometric sensors use angles, lengths and ratios to identify unique individuals.

Subject Focus: Computing

Additional curriculum links: Maths

This session does not include an Enigma machine demonstration.

Safe Cracking Challenge

Year 7 only

Outreach only – Session only available to classes who have completed the ‘Securing our Cyber World’ workshop

Combine your new cyber security knowledge with code-breaking skills with the safe cracking challenge. Groups of students work as a team to solve six puzzles leading to the combination of a locked safe containing a secret prize.

Through practical activities, students will: 

• Decode a hash algorithm. 

• Brute-force attack a weak password created using personal data. 

• Apply the mathematics of biometrics.

• Investigate binary pixels

• Send and receive an encrypted message using a radio. 

Subject Focus: Computing 

Additional curriculum links: Maths 

This session does not include an Enigma machine demonstration. 

Personal Cyber Security

Years 8 and 9

On-site or outreach

Our lives are becoming ever more digitally connected. Year 8 and 9 students are making their way into this brave new world. But how prepared are they to do this in a way that keeps their personal data and devices secure?

Through discussion, interactive demonstrations and practical activities, students will:

• Consider their individual digital world – looking at the devices, apps and data they value.

• Identify where weakness in their personal cyber security exist and how criminals might exploit these.

• Learn practical ways to improve their cyber security.

• Create a plan of action that is unique to them.

Subject Focus: Computing

Additional curriculum links: Maths

This session does not include an Enigma machine demonstration.