Charles Darwin School in Biggin Hill has been forced to close its doors after a serious cyber-attack disrupted its systems. The school, located on Jail Lane, had initially reported IT issues but has now confirmed that it has fallen victim to a ransomware attack.
In a statement, Headteacher Aston Smith explained that it remains unclear what data has been accessed, but the potential exists for all school-held information to have been compromised. Ransomware is a form of malicious software designed to block access to systems until a ransom is paid.
To address the situation, the school will be closed from Monday, September 9, to Wednesday, September 11, while staff devices are cleansed and systems are rebuilt. The closure will also allow teachers to re-plan lessons and senior staff to establish new systems for the school’s continued operation.
A forensic investigation by a cyber security firm is currently underway, and the school has reported the data breach to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), which is conducting a full data impact assessment. Mr. Smith emphasized that cloud-based services with external providers, such as Parent Pay, were not accessed in the attack.
Mr. Smith reassured parents that safeguarding remains the school’s top priority and that temporary solutions are in place while systems are restored. He also urged parents to remain vigilant for any suspicious emails during this period, stating that the school will not send any attachments or links throughout the recovery process.
The school’s 365 accounts for students have been disabled as a precaution, and communication with teachers will take place via Satchel One. Parents and students are encouraged to check the platform regularly for updates and assignments.
This cyber-attack comes amid a growing trend of similar incidents affecting public sector organizations, including the NHS, Transport for London, and National Rail.
Mr. Smith acknowledged the disruption caused by the attack and thanked parents for their patience and understanding during this challenging time. He promised regular updates as more information becomes available.
For any urgent matters, parents are advised to contact the school via telephone, as staff emails are currently inaccessible.
