Higham Lane School in Nuneaton was forced to remain closed after the Christmas break following a targeted cyber attack on its digital infrastructure. The hack completely disabled the school's IT systems, leaving staff unable to access essential services or communications.

Higham Lane School in Nuneaton was unable to reopen as scheduled on Monday following a significant cyber attack. The school confirmed that all pupils would have at least two additional days off while the situation is managed.
The malicious hack successfully "took down" the entirety of the school's IT systems and digital infrastructure. This resulted in a total loss of access to servers, management systems, and vital communication tools like email and telephones.
School leaders made the difficult decision to close based on a risk assessment regarding student safeguarding and general wellbeing. Without functioning digital systems, the school determined it could not operate in a safe and controlled manner.
It remains unclear whether the cyber criminals managed to access or breach any sensitive personal data during the attack. Technical teams are currently working to gather evidence and restore the network's integrity as quickly as possible.
Management apologized to parents and carers who were forced to find last-minute childcare due to the sudden emergency closure. They noted that the decision was necessary to prevent further damage and to protect the long-term security of the network.
While the school aims to reopen on Wednesday, officials have stated they cannot yet guarantee a specific date for a return to lessons. Parents are being urged to monitor social media and official websites for further updates on Tuesday morning.