How to Run a Phishing Simulation For Your School Staff

For many school staff, the phrase “phishing test” can conjure up images of IT departments setting digital ‘traps’ to catch them out during an already frantic school day. When platforms use generic, corporate-style phishing templates, like fake package deliveries or banking alerts, they can feel disconnected from the reality of the classroom. This breeds resentment and turns a vital cybersecurity exercise into a ‘blame game’ that staff grow to dread.

We believe the solution lies in a shift in philosophy. While the term ‘test’ is commonly used, it’s best to think of phishing simulations as a positive culture builder for cybersecurity resilience, rather than a ‘right and wrong’ exercise. Our phishing simulator is built by educators, for educators. This means our simulations move beyond generic noise to mimic actual MIS logins, supply bookings, and SLT communications that school staff see in their inboxes every day. In this blog, we’ll explore best practices for phishing simulations and top tips for utilising our phishing simulator.

Choosing realistic, education-specific scenarios

A successful phishing simulation strategy relies on relevance. If an email doesn’t look like something a teacher, for example, would actually interact with, they aren’t learning how to spot a real threat; they’re just spotting a bad simulation.

By using everyday scenarios such as fake supply bookings or spoofed SLT emails, you prepare your staff for the specific tactics cybercriminals use to target schools and trusts. Our phishing simulator possesses a library of templates curated by ex-IT managers and former educators who know exactly what lands in school staff’s inboxes. So instead of a random scam, you can select seasonal templates that match the rhythm of the school calendar.

Set it and forget it

As many school staff know, IT managers are inherently busy. Between managing hardware rollouts, troubleshooting classroom tech, and maintaining the network, finding the time to manually draft, schedule and send monthly phishing simulations often falls to the bottom of the priority list.

This is precisely why we developed Automated Phishing. Rather than a manual monthly chore, our simulator allows you to build several campaigns in a single sitting. You can set your desired cadence and select your themes, while the system handles the heavy lifting in the background. This ensures your staff receive a consistent phishing simulation throughout the year without requiring a single minute of ongoing maintenance from your team.

Personalise growth

Not every staff member is at the same level of digital awareness. A “one-size fits all” approach to phishing simulations is often too easy for tech-savvy staff or too discouraging for those who are less confident.

To truly support a diverse workforce, like schools, simulations need to meet the user exactly where they are. Our Adaptive Phishing feature tracks individual actions to ensure the challenge is always ‘just right’. If a staff member consistently reports a phish, the system automatically increases the complexity of their next simulation to keep them sharp. Conversely, if a staff member enters their credentials, the system reduces the complexity, allowing them to rebuild their confidence and learn at a pace that suits them.

Turning a 'click' into a teachable moment

It’s a matter of when, not if, someone falls for a simulation. How leadership teams handle that moment determines the success of your school’s cybersecurity culture.

When a staff member clicks a link in our phishing simulations, they aren’t reprimanded. Instead, they are directed to a one-minute training module designed specifically for busy school staff. It’s jargon-free and focuses on the specific red flags they missed. We emphasise ‘education, not criticism’, ensuring that staff walk away feeling more capable rather than embarrassed.

Build a 'no blame' culture

The ultimate goal of any phishing simulation strategy isn’t to achieve a 0% click rate; it's to build a culture where staff feel empowered to hit the ‘report’ button. By removing the fear of making a mistake, you encourage transparency. When staff know they won’t be blamed for an accidental click, they are much more likely to flag suspicious activity early, allowing your IT team to neutralise real threats before they escalate.

Ready to help your staff spot and stop email threats?

See firsthand how our school-centric approach to phishing simulations can transform your staff’s cybersecurity awareness. Book a demonstration of our phishing simulator with our experts here.