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Contract type: Freelance / Short-term contract

Duration: Approx. 12–18 hours of lesson materials (6 weeks of classes)

Location: Remote (with optional London-based collaboration for pilots)

Overview

We are seeking a Content Writer / Curriculum Developer / Subject Matter Expert with a strong background in computer programming to create a 12–18 hour curriculum unit for 14–15 year-old students (Key Stage 3/4).

The focus is on hands-on, programming-based cybersecurity activities—not just online safety. While you do not need to be a cybersecurity expert, you should have a solid foundation in coding and an enthusiasm for applying programming skills to real-world contexts like cryptography, digital forensics, and web challenges.

The curriculum will be structured around gamified Capture the Flag (CTF) challenges, scaffolded for accessibility, and designed to help students build confidence and skills for progression into GCSE Computing, CyberFirst programmes, and future career pathways.

About Us

This project is part of Kita, a new AI-enabled online coding platform built specifically for schools. It is being trialled in London schools in partnership with BlueShift Education. Following the pilot, the curriculum unit will be made freely available nationwide as part of Kita’s offering.

Our mission is to close the UK’s cybersecurity skills gap by providing accessible, classroom-ready, programming-focused content that can be delivered by both specialist and non-specialist teachers.

Responsibilities

• Devise and design 12–18 hours of structured lesson content (lesson plans, student activities, teacher notes, assessment rubrics). You will work closely with our founder, Heather Lyons, for guidance.
• Develop hands-on Capture the Flag challenges that apply programming skills to areas like cryptography, web exploitation, and digital forensics.
• Scaffold activities for KS3 students (14–15 years old), progressing from beginner-friendly coding challenges to more advanced applications.
• Build in opportunities for teamwork, competition, and gamified learning.
• Align materials with UK curriculum frameworks (KS3/4 Computing, GCSE Computer Science, CyberFirst).
• Collaborate with our design and teaching team to test and refine activities during the London pilot.
• Experience in curriculum design, teaching, or educational content development at KS3/4 level.
• Ability to create engaging, age-appropriate learning materials that make technical concepts accessible.
• Interest in cybersecurity and a willingness to research/apply cybersecurity concepts through programming tasks.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity topics (cryptography, ethical hacking, digital forensics).
• Experience designing or running Capture the Flag challenges.
• Knowledge of UK secondary Computing curricula (GCSE, T-Level, CyberFirst).
• Experience working with collaborative coding platforms.
• Apply your programming and curriculum design skills to an exciting, real-world context.
• Help build the next generation of cybersecurity learning for UK schools.
• See your materials piloted in London schools and then made available nationwide.
• Flexible, creative project work with the potential for national impact.

Qualifications

• Experience in curriculum design, teaching, or educational content development at KS3/KS4 level.
• Ability to create engaging, age-appropriate learning materials for KS3/KS4.
• Familiarity with UK secondary Computing curricula (GCSE, CyberFirst).
• Strong foundation in programming and interest in applying concepts to cybersecurity tasks.
• Experience designing or running Capture the Flag challenges.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity topics (cryptography, ethical hacking, digital forensics).
• Experience with collaborative coding platforms.

About the project / Next steps

This project is part of Kita, an AI-enabled online coding platform built for schools, trialled in London with BlueShift Education. After the pilot, the curriculum unit will be made freely available nationwide as part of Kita’s offering.

London, England, United Kingdom

We’re excited to find a candidate who can help build the next generation of cybersecurity learning for UK schools and deliver materials that can be piloted in London and rolled out nationwide.

Note: This job description reflects the role as described and may be subject to adjustments during the pilot phase. EEO statements apply where required.