The Greater Manchester school where pupils are learning to stop cyber attacks

As the UK becomes increasingly reliant on tech and AI, one Bury secondary school is ensuring their students leave well-prepared for the digital world.

Pupils at St Gabriel's High School are learning how to crack encrypted messages, investigate digital crime scenes and stop cyber attacks - and they've just been crowned the best in England at it.

Students aged between 11 and 14 took on thousands of rivals from across the country to win this year's Cyber Explorers Cup, a government-backed cyber security competition designed to build the UK's generation of tech talent.

The team, called 'Gabs', went head-to-head with pupils from 137 schools across England in a series of challenges testing skills like digital forensics, encryption and secure communications.

The Bury pupils had to decode encrypted messages, hunt for hidden digital 'flags', investigate mock cyber crime scenes and defend networks under pressure.

More than 2,500 youngsters took part in the competition, which is part of the Government's wider ambition to encourage more young people into careers in cyber security, artificial intelligent (AI) and technology.

As winners, the school received a £2,000 technology voucher, which staff used to buy virtual reality (VR) headsets, tablets and even a drone to help pupils continue developing their digital skills.

One student said winning the competition felt 'exciting and surreal'.

They said: "At first, it was hard to believe that all the effort had paid off, especially because of how strong the competition was.

"Speaking with the people from Cyber Explorers at school was inspiring and eye-opening. They talked the growing importance of cyber security and the different career paths available in the field.

"One of the speakers explained complex ideas in a simple way and encouraged us to keep developing our skills. It made me realise that people working in the tech industry can be approachable, knowledgeable and memorable."

Laura Billington, curriculum leader for computing at the school, said pupils had gained far more than technical knowledge during the competition.

She said: "Throughout the competition, students demonstrated resilience, curiosity, and growing confidence. They developed a deeper understanding of online safety, digital responsibility, and cyber threats, while also strengthening essential skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, and decision-making.

"We were delighted to use the £2,000 IT voucher to further enhance learning opportunities by purchasing VR headsets, tablets, a drone, and gifts for all of the winners."

She added that the new equipment had already helped 'enrich the computing curriculum and continue to motivate students beyond the competition'.

Minister for Digital Skills Liz Lloyd praised the students' achievement and said the competition showed the UK's future tech workforce was already emerging in classrooms.

She said: "These brilliant young minds aren't just learning cyber security, they're already thinking and working like the tech professionals who will shape our world.

"The Cyber Explorers Cup proves that the generation of digital innovators is ready and waiting. Through TechFirst, we're building a pipeline of talent that will keep Britain at the cutting edge of technology, from the classroom all the way to the careers of the future."