UTC Warrington, part of the Aldridge Education family of schools, has been awarded Gold status by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC’s) CyberFirst Schools and Colleges programme – the highest level of recognition for excellence in cyber security education.
The Gold award, granted for a period of three years, recognises schools and colleges that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to delivering high-quality, structured cyber security education and meaningful engagement with industry and higher education. UTC Warrington’s progression from Silver to Gold status marks a significant milestone and reflects sustained improvement, ambition, and impact.
At the heart of this recognition is UTC Warrington’s strong digital and cyber curriculum. At Key Stage 4, learners study GCSE Computer Science and a Cambridge National in IT, building robust foundations in computing principles and real-world application. At Key Stage 5, students undertake a T Level in Digital Support and Security, an in-depth and exciting two-year technical qualification designed to prepare learners for the front line of digital defence.
The T Level combines classroom learning with extensive hands-on experience, including cyber security principles, IT systems fundamentals, solution design and configuration, and employer-led projects delivered in live and simulated environments. Students benefit from access to a dedicated educational data centre, practical hardware build and virtual machine environments, alongside specialist networking and cabling training.
Employer engagement is a defining strength of the digital education at UTC Warrington. In Years 12 and 13, learners benefit from 10 employer-led experiences each year, working on industry-sponsored projects such as a disaster recovery project with Virtue Technologies, and specialist copper and fibre cabling training delivered by CNET. Year 10 and 11 students also engage with employers through activities including AI and digital marketing workshops.
In addition, students access a rich programme of enrichment opportunities, including hackathons, AWS Academy and Cisco Network Academy learning, and outreach work supporting younger learners. This breadth of experience ensures students leave UTC Warrington with strong technical skills, professional confidence, and clear progression routes.
There are a huge range of roles that students can move into, including Cyber Security Technician, Network Security Technician, Digital Forensics Technician, and IT Support Engineer with a security focus, as well as higher education and degree apprenticeships.
Commenting on UTC Warrington’s new CyberFirst Gold status, Tracy McAiney, Head of Digital at UTC Warrington, said: “Achieving gold status is a fantastic recognition of the work our students and staff do every day. Moving from silver to gold reflects the quality and strength of our curriculum, our deep-rooted industry partnerships, and our belief that cyber security education must be practical, relevant and ambitious. We are passionate about giving our students the very best cyber experiences so they can access exceptional destinations, and this recognition confirms we are delivering just that.”
Current Year 13 student Folajimi A said: “My time at University Technical College Warrington has been incredibly valuable, particularly due to the hands-on experience I have gained. From building, configuring, and hardening personally assembled PCs to developing practical skills that aligns with industry needs, the training has prepared me well for a career in the tech field. Additionally, the program’s focus on cybersecurity specialisms has further enhanced my knowledge and readiness for the workforce.”
The CyberFirst Gold status formally acknowledges UTC Warrington as a centre of excellence for cyber education and strengthens opportunities to work with industry, universities, and national cyber initiatives. So it’s never been a better time to discover your future in digital security! Spaces are filling quickly – if you’re interested in our T Level Cybersecurity course, visit our website and social channels to learn more, or secure your place at our Open Evening on 26 February.
