Why is Phishing a Threat to Schools?

Phishing is one of the most common and successful cyber attacks on schools, along with account compromise and ransomware. It’s cheap and easy for attackers, and it relies on human error rather than breaking through complex technical defences.

A single convincing email (such as an imitation Microsoft 365 login page) can be enough to compromise a staff account, access sensitive data or spread malware across your network.

This page explains what phishing is, why it’s such a danger, how to spot it, and what to do if you think you’ve been targeted. It’s designed for teachers, support staff, SLT and governors who want clear, practical guidance.

For a broader overview of cyber security, visit the Classroom365 Cyber Security for Schools hub.

why is phishing a threat to schools

What is Phishing in Education?

Phishing is a type of online scam where attackers try to trick you into:

  • Giving away personal or sensitive information.
  • Entering your username and password on a fake login page.
  • Clicking on unsafe links or opening malicious attachments.

These attacks often arrive via email, but can also come through messaging apps, SMS or fake websites. In many cases, phishing is the first step in a broader attack, such as account takeover or ransomware.

Common examples include:

  • Fake login pages asking for your email, username, and password.
  • Emails pretending to be from Microsoft, Google, your MIS or your headteacher.
  • Messages claiming urgent action is needed, e.g. “Your account will be locked today!”
  • Unexpected attachments or links that say “view secure document” or “invoice attached”.

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Phishing Attack Prevention and Why it Matters

Phishing is a serious threat in education – in 2024, 71% of UK secondary schools reported a cyber security breach – because it targets people, not just technology. Busy staff, dealing with full inboxes and tight deadlines, may only need a moment’s distraction to click on the wrong link.

A successful phishing attack can:

  1. Give attackers access to a staff email or cloud account.
  2. Lead to the theft of pupil or staff data.
  3. Be used to reset or steal passwords and move laterally through systems.
  4. Spread malware or ransomware to other devices on the network.
  5. Disrupt teaching, learning and administrative work, sometimes for days.

For the education sector, this isn’t just an IT problem. It can quickly become a safeguarding issue, a data protection issue (UK GDPR) and a reputational risk with parents and the wider community. That’s why phishing is a key focus in modern school cyber security.

Common Phishing Tactics Used in Education

Attackers often tailor phishing emails to the education environment. Some patterns we regularly see include:

  • Fake IT or support emails – pretending to be “IT Support” or a known provider, asking you to “verify your account” or “install an update”.
  • Payroll or HR scams – asking staff to update bank details or view a “payslip”.
  • Headteacher / SLT impersonation – emails that appear to come from the head or a senior leader, asking for urgent action or confidential information.
  • Supplier or invoice scams – fake messages about deliveries, orders or invoices from companies you may recognise.
  • Cloud service impersonation – emails pretending to be from Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, your MIS or safeguarding system.

The goal is always the same: get you to trust the email, then take an action that benefits the attacker.

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How to Spot Phishing Emails

Phishing emails are getting more convincing, but most still contain warning signs. Encourage staff to look for these red flags:

Suspicious sender address

The name might look familiar, but the actual email address is slightly different or misspelt.

Urgent or alarming language

Phrases like “your account will be deleted today” or “immediate action required” are designed to make you rush.

Unexpected attachments or links

Especially if you weren’t expecting the message or don’t recognise the context.

Generic greetings

“Dear User” or “Dear Customer” instead of your name or the school’s name.

Mismatched links

Hover your mouse over a link (without clicking) to see the real web address. If it looks unusual or doesn’t match the text, don’t click.

If something feels ‘off’, pause. It’s always better to check with IT or the supposed sender than to take a risk.

what is phishing in education

What to Do If You Suspect a Phishing Email

Make sure all staff know what to do if they’re unsure about an email. A simple, well-understood process is key. If you suspect phishing:

  • Do not click any links or download any attachments.
  • Do not enter your username or password on any page you’re unsure about.
  • Report the email to the school’s ICT support team.
  • In Outlook, use the “Report Message” or “Report Phishing” button if available.
  • After reporting, delete the email from your inbox and Deleted Items.

If you think you may have already clicked a link or entered your password:

  • Change your password as soon as possible.
  • Tell IT immediately so they can check for any unusual activity.
  • Don’t be embarrassed – quick reporting is far more critical than blaming staff.

If you are a Classroom365 client, you can:

Raise a ticket via the Classroom365 online helpdesk.

Forward suspicious emails to support@classroom365.co.uk.

phishing simulation used in staff awareness training for uk schools

How to Prevent Phishing in Schools

No school can stop every phishing email from reaching its users, though school email filtering is excellent in our experience (some say it’s too strict!). LGFL MailProtect, for example, uses multiple scanning engines (Cyren, Sophos and Cloudmark) to improve detection of spam and malicious emails.

Users can make it much harder for attackers to succeed:

Technical protection

  1. Email filtering and anti-phishing tools to block known malicious emails.
  2. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) for staff accounts, so a stolen password alone is not enough.
  3. Up-to-date devices with antivirus/EDR and security patches applied regularly.
  4. Web filtering and firewalls to block access to known malicious sites.

Staff awareness training for schools

  1. Short, regular training sessions on phishing and social engineering.
  2. Sharing examples of real phishing emails (with sensitive info removed) so staff see what they look like.
  3. Clear reminders of how to report suspicious emails.
  4. Conduct a phishing simulation for school staff to establish who is most at risk of compromising financial or personal information.

Clear policies and incident response

  1. An acceptable use policy that explains staff responsibilities.
  2. A simple, documented incident response plan so everyone knows what to do if something goes wrong.
  3. Regular reviews with SLT, DSL and the school’s Data Protection Officer (DPO) to link phishing and cyber security back to safeguarding and GDPR.

How Classroom365 Can Help Protect Your School

Classroom365 specialises in cyber security for schools and MATs, including protection against phishing attacks.

We can help you to:

  • Review your current email and account security.
  • Configure Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace securely for staff and students.
  • Implement MFA and better password policies.
  • Put in place email filtering, web filtering and endpoint protection.
  • Deliver staff training on phishing and cyber awareness.
  • Build phishing awareness into your broader cyber security and safeguarding strategy.

Phishing is just one part of your school’s overall cyber risk. To see the bigger picture and prioritise actions, we recommend starting with a cyber security health check.

Download our School Cyber Security Health Check Checklist (PDF, opens in a new tab) to see the key areas we review, or book a consultation if you’d like Classroom365 to carry out a full review for your school or academy trust.

Sources and Further Reading

National Cyber Security Centre – Phishing attacks and defending your organisation
UK Government – Cyber security breaches survey 2025 (phishing remains the most common type of attack)
NCSC – Cyber security guidance for school leaders
DfE – Cyber security standards for schools and colleges
Government Events / NCSC – Rising cyber security threat in education (stats on phishing in schools)