iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Harry @cipher-challenge.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Ssh don't tell*, but cipherchallenge.org has soft-launched for a week of bug hunting before we go live with the 25th National Cipher Challenge! Registration opens 24/09, competition starts 08/10, but if you want a sneak peak ... *Actually, please tell everyone!

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Harry @cipher-challenge.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

We couldn't be happier with the response to the first cipher challenge this year. Over 7400 signed up already and we're still on the 1st practice challenge! Head over to www.cipherchallenge.org/ to to get your students signed up in time for the 2nd practice challenge tomorrow.

The best of times - Challenge 1 form cipherchallenge.org, featuring a playing card depicting Charles Dickens as the Jack of Clubs

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Harry @cipher-challenge.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

The 24th National Cipher Challenge is now open for registrations and we have already had 1200 sign ups. The competition starts on October 9th, so there is time to register your teams and get them investigating codes and ciphers. Catch up on our news at www.cipherchallenge.org.

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Harry @cipher-challenge.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

Day 1 and we have reached our first 500 registrations at www.cipherchallenge.org already! Will we beat last year's record 9,000? That is up to you!

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Harry @cipher-challenge.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

Ready to register for the National Cipher Challenge? The site opens tomorrow. Did you know that as a teacher you can monitor the teams at your school? You will be able to read more about that at www.cipherchallenge.org/how-to-bulk-...

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Harry @cipher-challenge.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

Holding a Clubs/Societies/Enrichment Fair for your school or college? The National Cipher Challenge might be just what you need. Here is a poster you can use to promote it! The site will open for registration on Sept 18th and the competition starts Oct 9th. Challenges weekly throughout term!

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Harry @cipher-challenge.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

Yes it is! Posters are stacked ready to go out, and the website is being updated. We really hope you like it!

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Harry @cipher-challenge.bsky.social · 11/10/2024

The team at www.cipherchallenge.org love exponentials!

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Harry @cipher-challenge.bsky.social · 10/10/2024

It's a living breathing thing: www.cipherchallenge.org

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Harry @cipher-challenge.bsky.social · 10/10/2024

While the majority of the cipherchallenge.org competitors come from the UK we have a number from UK schools overseas and even some who take part "just for fun" from around the globe. We thought you might like to see where they are, so courtesy of Google Analytics, here is a map:

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Harry @cipher-challenge.bsky.social · 13/09/2024

Looks like the site has woken up! www.cipherchallenge.org is the new place to hang out (if you like breaking ciphers that is!)

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Harry @cipher-challenge.bsky.social · 28/08/2024

Anxiously waiting for your cipherchallenge.org poster? They are all bundled up ready to go! If you use it on a display, do post a picture, we love to see them. (Thanks to our friends at Document Despatch for all their hard work on the mailing.)

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Harry @cipher-challenge.bsky.social · 21/08/2024

Wondering what and what not to do if you get an A4 envelope in the post that looks like the attached? Some advice 1) Don't sigh/complain about the growth in junk mail 2) Admire the typography 3) Open the envelope & take out the poster inside 4) Find a spot to put it up where your pupils will see it

A white A4 envelope in landscape, with the logos for: the 23rd National Cipher Challenge; the organisers at the University of Southampton; the sponsors - GCHQ, Ten Degrees, Netcraft, Trinity College Cambridge, EPSRC, Northrop Grumman and the Bluespark Foundation. The competition opens for registration on 12th September 2024 and starts on 5th October 2024. It is a free online codebreaking competition for UK School and 6th form college aged pupils. It awards online certificates, medals and cash prizes, with a £5000 prize fund. The National Cipher Challenge is run by the School of Mathematical Sciences at the University of Southampton

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Harry @cipher-challenge.bsky.social · 20/08/2024

For those new to the National Cipher Challenge a primer What: an online codebreaking competition for UK schools, 6th form colleges & home schooled students. When? 12/09/24 - 06/01/25 Where? www.cipherchallenge.org Why? An enrichment activity aimed at stretching pupils, whatever their ability. (1/7)

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Harry @cipher-challenge.bsky.social · 19/08/2024

Thanks Mark, hope they enjoy it just as much this year. Maybe a few of them will even win medals.

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Harry @cipher-challenge.bsky.social · 19/08/2024

As a thank you to our early followers, and an inducement to the rest, here is an early glimpse at the poster for this years #cipherchallenge, The Mystery of the Silver Bullet.

Kate knew guns but nothing about ciphers, so the inscription on the bullet was a mystery. Needing help to decipher it, she wrote to the one woman on earth who might know how.
Join Ada Lovelace, Kate Warne, and Charles Babbage to help them solve
The Mystery of the Silver Bullet.

A codebreaking competition for UK schools and colleges, from the School of Mathematical Sciences at the University of Southampton. Hosted at https://www.cipherchallenge.org

Registration opens 12th September
Competition starts 10th October

£5,000 in prizes to be won

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