NEWS

Ulster Unionist education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA As Northern Ireland begins to recover from the widespread disruption caused by Storm Chandra, renewed criticism has been levelled at the Department of Education over its handling of school closures during severe weather events. The storm brought significant challenges across the region, including power cuts, flooding and travel disruption, with more than 346 schools forced to close in response to weather warnings. In the

Schools across Northern Ireland remain open for now as Storm Chandra approaches, with the Education Authority (EA) confirming that there are no current plans to issue general school closure notices, with amber and yellow weather warnings coming into force. The EA said the potential impacts on schools are being kept under review, as strong winds and the risk of flooding are forecast to affect parts of Northern Ireland tomorrow. The developing situation has already been discuss

Parents of 19 boys suspended from Lisburn’s Laurelhill Community College have called for an internal investigation using CCTV footage relating to alleged incidents at the school. The parents have also asked the Education Authority (EA) to step in directly, saying they are “defending our children” as fellow pupils come forward with eyewitness accounts of what took place. The male students were suspended for one day on January 9, following an assembly. The school principal rai

A group of 19 boys have been suspended at a Co Antrim school, with parents making an official complaint about the principal’s actions amid concerns relating to “toxic masculinity”. An official complaint has now been made to the school’s board of governors by most of the parents regarding the disciplinary actions taken by the principal, who suspended the students following an alleged incident at a school assembly on January 8. The matter has come to light as the Education Auth

Applications for pre-school and Primary One (P1) places for children starting education in September 2026 have officially opened through the Education Authority’s (EA) online EA Connect portal. More than 40,000 applications are expected across Northern Ireland for the incoming academic year, making this one of the most significant annual processes for families preparing children for their first step into formal education. Parents and guardians have until 12 noon on Tuesday, 2

The Education Authority (EA) has issued further safety advice to schools across Northern Ireland today as Storm Bram continues to intensify, bringing hazardous winds and an upgraded amber weather warning to parts of the region. A spokesperson for the EA said: “All schools are advised to keep pupils indoors throughout the day and, if practical, to cancel after school activities.” Schools are also being encouraged to take a flexible approach to dismissal times due to the deteri

The Education Authority (EA) has confirmed that there are no plans for general school closures today despite the escalating weather situation as Storm Bram moves across Northern Ireland. A spokesperson for the EA said: “Following the escalation of the Storm Bram warning this morning, the Education Authority has discussed the situation with the Department. At this stage, it is not planned to issue general school closure notices.” “Instead, school principals are being encourag

Ulster Unionist Education Spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA has welcomed the introduction of a new emergency messaging system for schools, following the Education Minister’s admission that “communication failures” took place during the handling of Storm Amy. The recent review into the events surrounding the storm found that critical updates were not delivered quickly enough to schools, leading to widespread confusion as closure decisions were issued. Mr Burrows said the review h

John Unsworth, EA Assistant Director; John Trueman, Director of Qualifications, CCEA; Angela Kane, Department of Education; and Sean Fearon, Education and Training Inspectorate; came together to host over 150 Early Career Teachers at Lagan Valley Island Conference Centre. More than 150 Early Career Teachers (ECTs) from across Northern Ireland gathered at Lagan Valley Island Conference Centre for a major professional development event jointly hosted by the Education Authority

Parents across Northern Ireland are bracing for higher school meal prices and potential changes to transport and music provision after the Education Authority (EA) confirmed a series of cost-saving measures to address a £300 million funding shortfall. The EA said the “regrettable” measures, which aim to deliver up to £30 million in savings, will begin to take effect this month. However, the organisation warned that even with these cuts, it will be “some distance” from breaki

(L-R): Martina Reynolds, EA EdIS Project Lead; Richard Pengelly, EA Chief Executive; Frances Meehan EdIS Programme Director; Eve Bremner, EA Chief Education Officer; Seamus Bradley, EA Assistant Director; Mervyn Storey, EA Chairperson; Jane Murphy, Principal of Killicomaine Junior High School; Barney Jenkins, Managing Director Softlink; pictured with pupils of Killicomaine Junior High School, Portadown. A new and innovative school library system led by the Education Authority

Jon Burrows MLA and Neil McCullough Principal of Harryville Primary School More than 20 children were initially reported missing from a primary school in Ballymena, prompting an urgent effort by education officials to trace their whereabouts. The Education Authority (EA) distributed a list of more than 50 missing pupils from various schools to principals across Northern Ireland earlier this term, seeking help to identify children who had stopped attending school without expla

The proposed new extension at Ballyclare Primary School A planning application has been submitted to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough...

Ulster Unionist Party Education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA has urged the Minister of Education to launch an urgent review into how...

An emergency early closure of schools has been ordered across parts of Northern Ireland today (Friday 3 October) as Storm Amy brings the...

Home schooling parents have warned neurodiverse children in Northern Ireland are being “failed by the education system”. Heart-breaking...

Education Minister Paul Givan has praised the early progress of TransformED, the Department of Education’s flagship reform strategy,...

DUP MLA Paul Frew has called on Justice Minister Naomi Long to issue an “immediate and unequivocal apology” after she suggested that new...

Northern Ireland Education Minister Paul Givan Education Minister Paul Givan has instructed the Education Authority to immediately...

Sinn Féin Braid Councillor Archie Rae A Mid and East Antrim councillor has voiced strong concern over what he described as the “alarming”...