Lancaster Royal Grammar School has been the target of a serious cyber attack.
The attack happened on July 16, just before the summer holidays, after the school's IT department noticed something unusual.
Pupil databases, safeguarding or finance systems were not affected.
The school shut the system down, got advice from cyber experts, then rebuilt it from scratch over the summer holidays with added security, with no lasting damage.
The attack appeared to be by a professional group, who had asked for a ransom. The school did not interact with any demands.
Other schools in the Fylde area were affected by similar ransomware attacks.
Mohammed Patel, from cyber security firm Check Point, said: "The ransomware attack on Lancaster Royal Grammar School is a stark reminder of the escalating cybersecurity challenges faced by the education sector.
"Unfortunately, this isn’t an isolated incident. In recent months, we've seen multiple schools targeted, including a significant ransomware attack on the Fylde Coast Academy Trust in September 2024, affecting 10 schools and forcing them to revert to manual processes.
"Similarly, other schools have faced similar attacks, with some being locked out of their own systems for extended periods.
"Ransomware, in particular, is not just a threat to schools but is one of the top threats to organisations across the UK.
"To seriously address this, the education sector urgently needs to focus on proven cybersecurity solutions and strategies."
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