'Serious cyber attack' at Nuneaton school latest as impact of hackers revealed

A 'serious cyber attack' continues to hit a Nuneaton school which still cannot re-open properly.

It has been a week since CoventryLive first reported that the whole IT system at the Shanklin Drive-based school was 'taken down' during a cyber attack.

It meant the school could not re-open as planned after Christmas on Monday, January 5. It remained closed all last week, with pupils being told to learn from . The school hoped to re-open today, January 12, to Year 11 pupils taking exams only.

Year seven students were understood to have been told to go to a sister site, Higham Lane North Academy today but the rest of the students will continue to learn from .

CoventryLive understands there will be 'phased use' of Higham Lane North over the 72 hours before a decision is made on whether Higham Lane School can re-open. This is because the impact of the cyber attack has not only hit the IT systems, but also key facilities at the school.

The full impact of the attack

A statement on the school website read: "Firstly, as a result of losing our electronic systems, we were unable to operate our electronic gates. This meant we could not ensure that the school site was safe and secure.

"Secondly, the fire alarm system is controlled by our electronic systems, including the fire doors that must close in the event of a fire to prevent the spread of fire and toxic smoke. Without these systems, we could not guarantee the safety of students and staff in the event of an emergency.

"Thirdly, student registers are held electronically. Without access to these systems, we would not be able to accurately confirm who was on site and who was not, and where students need to be and at what time.

"Fourthly, in the event of an emergency, we would have had no access to parental details and therefore would have been unable to ."

IT experts, including those from the Department for Education, have been working to restore the system.

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