Case Study: Calderglen High School builds cyber security skills with RM Education's virtual ethical hacking solution

Calderglen High School teach practical hacking to build cyber security skills using a custom-built solution from RM Education

Calderglen High School in South Lanarkshire was one of the first schools to deliver the Scottish Qualifications Authority’s National Progression Awards in Cyber Security, but its students could not fully complete the practical Ethical Hacking unit because security policies prevented the use of network computers. RM Education, which already provided network support across South Lanarkshire schools, was asked to find a way to give learners a meaningful hands-on experience.

RM Education built a secure virtual sandbox within Windows using Oracle VirtualBox, Kali Linux, Metasploitable and Windows XP, all configured to interact on a virtual IP range and installed on CC4 workstations. This gave students access to ethical hacking tools in a safe environment that met National Progression Award standards at Levels 4, 5 and 6, boosting engagement and improving understanding of cyber security. The solution was rolled out across South Lanarkshire schools, and RM Education was credited with adding significant value to the classroom and supporting Scotland’s wider cyber resilience goals.

Calderglen High School

Caithlin McConville

Computing Teacher and ICT Co-ordinator