Martyn’s Law: What do schools need to do?

What is Martyn’s Law?

Martyn’s Law, also known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, outlines the government’s commitment to strengthen the security of public premises and events. Martyn Hett was one of 22 people who were killed in the Manchester Arena attack in 2017. Since his death, Martyn’s mum, Figen Murray, has campaigned tirelessly for there to be legislation outlining the responsibilities for venues and event organisers to plan how they would respond in the event of a terrorist attack. Figen Murray’s campaign has been crucial in driving this Act forward.

What does this mean for schools?

Ultimately, Martyn’s Law will fall under safeguarding.  

The Act sets out a tiered approach that is based on the number of people expected to be present at the time. In most cases, premises with a capacity of more than 200 people will fall into either the standard or enhanced tier (over 800 people). However, special consideration is in place for early years, primary, secondary and further education settings regardless of their capacity, which all fall under the standard tier.

It is important to know that there will be an implementation period of 24 months before the Act comes into force in 2027, but it helps to be aware of what’s expected of school settings. Ensure that you are aware of the obligations outlined below, and take the time with governors and senior leaders to explore how your setting will ensure these requirements are in place. Please note that there is no requirement to put any further physical security measures in place beyond what you already have.

Schools will need to ensure they have the following in place:

• Evacuation procedures (removing people from the building)
• Invacuation procedures (moving people to a safe place)
• Lockdown (securing the premises against attackers)
• Communication procedures
• Appoint a designated responsible person who will oversee the implementation and inform the Security Industry Authority (SIA) that your setting needs to be registered – for education settings this could be a person such as the Designated Safeguarding Lead or Headteacher, or a body such as the school Governing Body.

Lots of settings will already have much of the above in place, and many are already shared in the Department for Education’s non-statutory guidance ‘Protective Security and Preparedness for Education Settings’. However, over the next 2 years, you have the opportunity to thoroughly review your school systems and assess their effectiveness. Within the DfE guidance there are templates and considerations such as plans for SEND pupils, which will be helpful when implementing the obligations under Martyn’s Law. Additional things you may wish to consider are:

• Does our evacuation procedure take place within a timely manner?
• How do we account for pupils or staff with a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) in place?
• Does our electronic sign in/out system for pupils and staff account for those who have already left the site before an evacuation?
• How does our alarm system differ for invacuation, evacuation or lockdown?
• How do we practice lockdown procedures without causing unease amongst staff, pupils and parents?
• Is it easy for staff to communicate with each other during an evacuation, invacuation or lockdown?

On 1^st September 2025 the government released ‘Martyn’s Law for Education settings.’ More factsheets and resources are set to be released over the coming months to support education providers in implementing these obligations. Here is also a free e-learning module available – ‘Actions Counters Terrorism,’ which may help you to prepare.

The threat level from terrorism in the UK is currently substantial, meaning an attack is likely. That is why having effective procedures in place is important. Through the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act, also known as Martyn’s Law, we can improve protective security and organisational preparedness across the UK and ensure that schools, pupils and staff are safeguarded effectively.

For more advice or information on Martyn’s Law, the Prevent Duty, or for details of any further training on these topics, please reach out to our Safeguarding Team.

Contact us at: safeguarding@oneeducation.co.uk or give us a call on 0161 276 0160.