Need a low prep encryption lesson? Get these FREE codebreaking lessons

A ready-to-teach 3-lesson mini unit where pupils explore Caesar ciphers, codebreaking, binary, hashing and cyber security through engaging activities and clear explanations.

What you get:

  • Three ready-to-use lessons

  • Short, clear videos from a real person explaining to you, the teacher, how to prepare and deliver each lesson

  • Engaging activities which pupils complete independently, in pairs or as a class

  • Clear explanations of key concepts like Caesar ciphers, substitution ciphers, algorithms, binary and hashing

  • Low prep materials designed to fit into real classroom life

Three ready to teach codebreaking lessons with printable resources and pupil activities

Perfect for: KS3 Computing teachers, non-specialists and anyone who needs a ready-to-teach unit

“Nichola's resources are amazing. She is such a passionate educator and you don't go wrong with her resources. Super star!” Mrs D - Head of Computer Science

A ready-to-teach mini unit that makes tricky concepts feel manageable

These lessons are designed to help you teach encryption and cyber security in a way that feels engaging for pupils and manageable for you.

The Crack the Caesar cipher lesson with presentation slides and printable activities on encoding and decoding secret messages

Lesson 1 introduces the Caesar cipher in a simple, memorable way

Pupils explore how secret messages were used in Roman times, learn how the Caesar cipher works and practise encoding and decoding messages step by step.

The Enigma race lesson with presentation slides and printable activities on substitution ciphers, algorithms and codebreaking

Lesson 2 builds into codebreaking, substitution ciphers and algorithms

Using the story of Enigma and Alan Turing, pupils learn how patterns, logic and teamwork help crack codes. It is a great way to make algorithms feel meaningful and not abstract.

The Secret messages in the digital age lesson with presentation slides and printable activities on binary, hashing and cyber security

Lesson 3 brings the topic into the digital world

Pupils connect what they have learned to binary, hashing and cyber security, helping them see how these ideas still matter today.

Teacher support is included

If you're short on time or feeling a bit rusty with the content, the walkthrough videos help you see exactly how to prepare and deliver each lesson with confidence.

Low prep for you. Strong engagement for them.

Everything is designed to be easy to pick up and use, while still giving pupils a lesson that feels interesting, purposeful and well structured.

The teacher walkthrough video showing how to prepare and teach the Crack the code lessons

Ready to use in 4 simple steps

No complicated setup. Sign up, watch the walkthrough video and download each lesson when you’re ready to teach it.

  • Click the link and sign up to the free course

  • Get instant access to all 3 lessons straight away

  • Watch the walkthrough video for each lesson so you know exactly how to prepare and teach it

  • Download the zip file for each lesson and teach with confidence

“Thank you...just what I needed!” Karian - Computer Science Teacher

Get the free codebreaking lessons

A ready-to-teach mini unit covering ciphers, algorithms, binary and cyber security.

Click the button below to sign up for the free course and get instant access to all 3 lessons and walkthrough videos.