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Exceptional closure of schools due to adverse weather

Report by the Working Group on School Opening/Closure Arrangements

The severe weather conditions in November/December 2010 resulted in a considerable number of schools in Northern Ireland having to close. This highlighted a number of issues, including confusion about the number of days that schools must be in operation; the different types of school closure; and the arrangements for notifying parents.

As a result, the former Minister for Education, Caitríona Ruane MLA, established a working group consisting of members from across the education sector. The working group was asked to explore the arrangements governing school opening/closures, and to provide recommendations to the Department of Education on how to improve them, particularly in relation to exceptional closures. The working group’s report has now been published and is available below:

Report by the Working Group on School Opening/Closure Arrangements PDF 482 KB

Tuarascáil An Ghrúpa Oibre Ar Oscailt/Dhruidim Scoileanna PDF 508 KB

The Department of Education is taking forward work on the group’s recommendations contained in the report.  

Checklist for Principals When Considering Opening or Closure of School

The Checklist for Principals When Considering Opening or Closure of School PDF 100KB has been produced by the Working Group on School Opening/Closure Arrangements.

Seicliosta Do Phríomhoidí Agus Iad Ag Meas Cé Acu Osclófar Nó Druidfear Scoil PDF 94 KB

The Checklist provides Principals with information on the factors they need to consider when deciding whether or not to close their school.

The Department of Education will consider an application for a reduction in the days on which a school must be in operation to take account of exceptional circumstances or where the closing of the school is outside the control of the school authorities, for example, due to:-

  • the death of a teacher or pupil at the school;
  • flooding or burst pipes;
  • electricity failure;
  • an exceptionally heavy snowfall;
  • use as a polling station for parliamentary/local government elections.

The Department's Curriculum Support Team should be notified of any exceptional closure at the earliest opportunity - e-mail curriculum.supportteam@deni.gov.uk

School action plans for handling exceptional closures due to adverse weather PDF 120KB

School Principals are reminded of the need to have in place an action plan for dealing with any exceptional closures which may arise due to adverse weather.

Information for parents and guardians on the different types of school closures and the factors that Principals need to consider is available on the NI Direct website