The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, commonly known as Martyn’s Law, introduces new requirements designed to improve security preparedness across publicly accessible venues in the UK.
Education environments, including schools, colleges, training providers and universities, are specifically referenced within government guidance because they regularly host large numbers of students, staff and visitors.
According to the Department for Education’s policy paper, How Martyn’s Law will affect education settings, education providers will need to consider how they would respond to a terrorist incident and ensure appropriate safety procedures are in place.
This article focuses specifically on how Martyn’s Law applies to schools and educational facilities, including compliance requirements, exemptions and the practical steps schools can take to prepare.
What Does Martyn’s Law Mean for Schools?
Martyn’s Law (the Terrorism Protection of Premises Act 2025) requires organisations responsible for publicly accessible premises to prepare for potential terrorist incidents.
Schools, colleges and universities that reasonably expect 200 or more people to be present at the same time must implement procedures such as:
- evacuation
- invacuation
- lockdown
- emergency communication
The legislation is named after Martyn Hett, who was one of the 22 victims of the Manchester Arena attack in 2017. His mother, Figen Murray, led a long campaign to introduce stronger security protections for public venues.
Further details about the legislation can be found in the official Home Office factsheets for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act.
When will Martyn’s Law affect schools?
Martyn’s Law received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025.
However, the government has confirmed an implementation period of at least 24 months, allowing organisations time to understand their responsibilities and prepare for the new requirements.
During this period, statutory guidance will be published by the Home Office and Department for Education.
This means the legislation is expected to come into force no earlier than 2027.
More details are available in the government guidance: How Martyn’s Law will affect education settings.
Does Martyn’s Law apply to schools?
Yes, many schools will fall within the scope of Martyn’s Law if 200 or more people are reasonably expected to be present on site at the same time.
However, the legislation includes special provisions for schools and further education providers.
Under the Act, schools will always remain within the standard tier, even if more than 800 people are present.
This approach ensures security requirements remain proportionate for educational environments.
Which education settings are covered?
Government guidance confirms that the special consideration applies to:
- early years providers
- primary schools
- secondary schools
- further education colleges
- DfE-funded independent training providers
These settings remain in the standard tier regardless of attendance numbers.
This helps ensure security measures remain practical for environments focused on teaching and learning.
How Martyn’s Law affects universities
Universities and higher education institutions do not receive the same exemption as schools.
Instead, universities fall into the standard or enhanced tier depending on attendance levels:
- 200–799 people → Standard tier
- 800+ people → Enhanced tier
Because universities often host large lectures, events and campus gatherings, some premises may fall into the enhanced tier, which requires additional risk assessment and security planning.
Many higher education institutions are already reviewing security risk assessments for education premises and implementing integrated campus security systems to strengthen preparedness.
Martyn’s Law tiers for education settings
The legislation uses a tiered system based on how many people are reasonably expected to be present.
| Tier | Attendance | Applies to Schools |
| Outside scope | Under 200 people | Yes |
| Standard tier | 200–799 people | Yes |
| Enhanced tier | 800+ people | No – schools remain in standard tier |
Although smaller schools may fall outside the legislation, the government still encourages all education providers to have appropriate emergency procedures in place.
What schools must do to comply with Martyn’s Law
Schools within the scope of the Act must implement public protection procedures, as far as reasonably practicable.
These procedures include:
Evacuation
Ensuring pupils, staff, and visitors can leave the premises safely during an emergency.
Invacuation
Moving individuals to safer areas inside the building.
Lockdown
Securing buildings to prevent entry during a potential attack.
Communication
Ensuring staff and students can be alerted quickly if a threat is identified.
Many schools support these procedures with systems such as:
- School lockdown systems
- Access control systems for school buildings
- CCTV monitoring for education sites
These technologies can help improve response times and site security.
Who is responsible for Martyn’s Law compliance in schools?
Each premises covered by the legislation must appoint a Responsible Person.
In most schools, this will usually be:
- the governing body, or
- the proprietor of the institution
The responsible person must ensure procedures are in place and notify the regulator.
The regulator for the legislation will be the Security Industry Authority (SIA), which will provide guidance and take enforcement action where necessary.
Preparing schools for Martyn’s Law
Although the legislation is not yet in force, schools and universities can begin preparing by:
- reviewing lockdown and emergency procedures
- strengthening visitor management and access control
- improving communication systems
- training staff in incident response
- reviewing site security measures
Many education providers begin preparation by conducting a security risk assessment to identify vulnerabilities and plan appropriate security measures.
Preparing early will help ensure schools are ready when Martyn’s Law becomes fully enforceable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Martyn’s Law for Schools
Does Martyn’s Law apply to universities?
Yes. Universities fall within the scope of Martyn’s Law if 200 or more people are reasonably expected to be present.
Unlike schools and further education colleges, universities may fall into the enhanced tier if attendance exceeds 800 people.
Who is exempt from Martyn’s Law?
Premises expecting fewer than 200 people on site at the same time are outside the scope of the legislation.
However, the government still encourages organisations to maintain basic preparedness procedures.
Do schools have to comply with Martyn’s Law?
Schools must comply if 200 or more people are reasonably expected to be present.
However, they remain within the standard tier, meaning requirements focus on emergency procedures and preparedness rather than major infrastructure upgrades.
What are the key points of Martyn’s Law for schools?
The main elements relevant to education settings include:
- a tiered system based on attendance numbers
- schools remaining in the standard tier regardless of size
- requirements for evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication procedures
- oversight by the Security Industry Authority