Year 9 Pupils Tune into GCHQ Careers in Languages Webinar

On Tuesday, around 40 of our Year 9 pupils took part in a fascinating virtual seminar hosted by GCHQ, the UK’s intelligence, cyber and security agency. 

The one-hour session introduced pupils to the vital role languages play in national security and intelligence work, offering a unique insight into careers as Language Analysts.

During the seminar, pupils explored the importance of language skills in real-world scenarios, including a challenge in French where they decoded and translated a text message. The session concluded with a Q&A, giving pupils the chance to ask questions and learn more about the exciting opportunities available in the field.

Mrs Scully, Head of Languages at Priory, said: “This was a brilliant opportunity for our pupils to see how languages can be used in meaningful and exciting careers. It really opened their eyes to the possibilities beyond the classroom and sparked a lot of interest in the subject.”

Following the seminar, pupils have been invited to take part in the GCHQ National Language Competition, which runs from Monday 17 to Friday 21 November. The virtual competition challenges teams of 13-14 year olds across the UK to solve language-based puzzles and score points, with the overall winners receiving a trophy at GCHQ’s headquarters in Cheltenham. Any Year 9 pupils interested in forming a team should speak to Mrs Scully or Mrs Bailey as soon as possible.

Fancy a crack at a challenge?  You will find a selection of sample challenges from previous years’ competitions here>> www.gchq.gov.uk/information/national-language-competition-sample-challenges