Newcastle University to introduce ‘weather contingency’ policy for lectures

Newcastle University has announced a change to lecture guidelines which will see a “weather contingency” policy introduced, meaning lectures may now be cancelled in the event of bad weather.

The move forms part of what the university is describing as a wider effort to address “seasonal attendance fluctuations,” with particular attention given to the impact of rain on student turnout.

A leaked document from university management outlines how the policy will be trialled before being fully implemented in September. It suggests that attendance rates drop significantly during periods of heavy rain, particularly among undergraduate students.

As a result, under guidance from the Newcastle student management team, the university will introduce the option for lectures to be cancelled when weather conditions are deemed unsuitable, in an effort to improve engagement and student wellbeing.

In a leaked email seen by The Newcastle Tab, university management hopes the policy will ease the “mental burden” associated with commuting in poor weather, as well as reduce concerns about attendance penalties for students who may be reluctant to make the journey in adverse conditions.

Newcastle University first proposed the idea of adapting lecture delivery in response to weather conditions in December 2025. The proposal was revisited following concerns raised by staff, who reported noticeable drops in attendance during February 2026.

This decline coincided with an unusually wet spell, during which it reportedly rained on 27 out of 28 days in Newcastle. Following this, the student management team and senior staff approved the “weather contingency” policy in early March.

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The policy forms part of a broader initiative to make university life more flexible, aligning with shifting expectations around hybrid working and adaptable schedules across the UK.

Newcastle University is believed to be among the first institutions to trial such a policy, with management hopeful it could influence similar approaches in other universities and workplaces.

The Newcastle Tab asked students for their thoughts on the change.

Second year engineering student Lydia Malt said: “This literally couldn’t be better news for me. I end up being caught in the rain trying to get to lectures every time I straighten my hair and it ruins my day. It’s reassuring to know I won’t have to risk it any longer if the clouds are looking sketchy.

Another student, April May told The Newcastle Tab: “Honestly it’s a lifesaver – I’m not risking attendance penalties just because it’s raining and my Uggs can’t cope with that kind of pressure. Northumbria will no doubt follow suit soon as 

Michael Take, a Northumbria student, said: “If they don’t bring this in soon, people are going to start kicking off – no one’s walking to a 9am just to ruin their Salomons.”

You should probably check the date, you April fools!