New Analysis Reveals Extreme Weather Disrupting Education Across Northern Ireland.
230 nurseries and schools closed for more than 5 days due to extreme weather in the period 2019-26.
A new report from the Education for Sustainable Development Forum (ESDF) has revealed the extent of lost learning days due to extreme weather in Northern Ireland in the period 2019 and 2026. The analysis reveals how the climate crisis is already having a tangible impact on the education of children and young people in Northern Ireland.
Drawing on data provided by the Department of Education, the analysis found that 230 nurseries and schools closed for more than 5 days due to extreme weather in the period 2019-26. The report also found that the mean number of days missed due to extreme weather in Northern Ireland was over 2.5 days.
The report highlights how the extreme weather events that climate change is making increasingly likely are already affecting children and young people in Northern Ireland, disrupting learning, impacting schools, and creating additional challenges for families and teachers.
The analysis revealed that:
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2026 has been the worst year for school closures due to extreme weather since 2019
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Heavy rainfall was the leading cause of weather-related disruption, accounting for 11 major weather warning events linked to school closures
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Wind accounted for eight significant events and ice for seven
The top 3 areas by county that have been most impacted by extreme weather school closures during the period:
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County Derry/Londonderry: 42 schools
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County Antrim (excl. Belfast City Centre): 25 schools
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County Tyrone 19 schools
Mark O’Connor, co-chair of ESDF, said:
“ESDFs research demonstrates that extreme weather is not just a future challenge. It is already having a substantial impact on children and young people’s education across Northern Ireland.
School closures due to extreme weather do not only impact education, but they also disrupt work for parents and carers, extracurricular activities, and local communities more widely.”
The report comes as the Department of Education continues its consultation of the Northern Ireland curriculum. ESDF argue that Education for Sustainable Development has not sufficiently featured within the curriculum, a fact that must be address within the Department’s review and Transform Ed NI Curriculum 2028.
Beth Frazer, Area Lead for Education for Sustainable Development at Northern Ireland Environment Link, said:
“The disruptions noted in the report are unfortunately not going away and will very likely get worse. While school buildings should adapt to become more resilient to extreme weather, the curriculum must also prepare our young people for the challenges of climate change now and in the future.
With the Northern Ireland curriculum consultation currently underway, we are calling on the Department of Education to ensure that Education for Sustainable Development is the thread that runs throughout the entire curriculum. The importance of children learning about issues including the environment, nature, climate and outdoor learning has arguably never been greater.”
The report noted that schools in Northern Ireland avoided the disruption experienced in England and Wales due to heatwaves in 2026 due to their longer summer closure period and lower average temperatures. However, the report highlights that future risks for school closures are likely to extend beyond heavy rainfall, snow, ice and wind.
The full report, Extreme Weather Impacts on Education in Northern Ireland, is available on the ESDF website at www.esdforum.org.uk
