Our friends at GCHQ have lots of exciting events and activities planned for schools over the next couple of months… more details below!

GCHQ Language Outreach Virtual Session

Date: Tuesday 21 October, 10:30-11:30

Registration link: GCHQ Virtual Language Outreach Autumn 2025: Session dates and times

Description: Aimed at Year 9 students, during these one-hour sessions pupils will hear about the importance of languages, GCHQ, and the work our Language Analysts do, and will be given the opportunity to ask questions. They will then move on to a scenario challenge in a language they are currently studying (French, German or Spanish).

GCHQ National Language Competition

Date: 17-21 November 2025

Registration link: The GCHQ National Language Competition – GCHQ.GOV.UK

Description: We are pleased to announce the National Language Competition (NLC) will be returning in November this year. The NLC is open to Year 9 [England/Wales] / Year 10 [Northern Ireland] / S2 [Scotland] students, competing in teams of up to four. There is no maximum number of team entries per school. The NLC challenges vary in difficulty, require no prior language knowledge, and are worth varying amounts of points. We have an exciting new interactive format for your students to take on this year as well.

You can read all about the NLC 2024 winners visit to GCHQ Cheltenham on the GCHQ website.

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Questions about both opportunities should be directed to languageoutreach@gchq.gov.uk.