What every school and trust leader needs to know.
Watch the masterclass with Nathan Emmerich — Martyn's Law communications lead and adviser to the law's originator, Figen Murray OBE — then see exactly how to prepare.
Enforcement begins Spring 2027
Schools fall under the Standard Tier
Ready for Martyn's Law: a practical guide for school leaders
Nathan joined teamSOS CEO Lawrence Royston for a HeadteacherChat masterclass. The 45-minute recording covers the law explained, the practical steps schools can take to prepare, and a live look at what's possible with the right tools in place.
What Martyn's Law actually says
Martyn's Law — the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 — creates, for the first time, a legal duty on those responsible for certain premises to consider how they would respond to a terrorist attack. Schools fall under the Act's Standard Tier.
A first-of-its-kind legal duty
Responsible persons must consider how they would respond to a terrorist attack and put proportionate procedures in place.
Governing body or academy trust
The Responsible Person is the governing body or trust. Operational duties are typically delegated to the headteacher, principal or DSL.
Notify the SIA
The Responsible Person must notify the SIA once responsible for the premises. Registration systems are expected to go live in Spring 2027.
What schools need to have in place
The good news: much of this builds on what schools already do. Documented, practised and reviewed — that's the standard.
- Documented procedures covering evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication
- Staff who are fully aware of those procedures and confident in carrying them out
- Lockdown and invacuation drills embedded in the calendar — reviewed and tested at least once a year, via desktop exercises or physical drills
- Use of the free supporting resources from the DfE and Counter Terrorism Policing, including ACT e-learning and school guidance packages
Support first — but penalties apply
The SIA will prioritise support, guidance and advice over immediate punishment. But where requirements aren't met, penalties can follow — including daily penalties until the requirements are satisfied.
Maximum fixed fine under the Standard Tier for schools, with the possibility of further daily penalties until the requirements are met. The emphasis is on getting compliant — not on catching schools out.
What teamSOS can do
teamSOS is the all-device emergency-communications solution purpose-built for schools and MATs — from the founders of Groupcall and ParentPay. It supports schools and trusts in the operational delivery of their Martyn's Law procedures: giving every member of staff a direct escalation line to leaders, giving leaders the tools to deliver unmissable instructions site-wide, and capturing an automatic record of every drill and incident.
"Fast communication and co-ordination are fundamental in reducing casualties or damage. teamSOS provides that speed and clarity."
What makes a response work
Speed
The first signal travels fast — from any member of staff to leadership.
Connection
Staff and leaders stay connected throughout the incident.
Co-ordination
Unmissable instructions reach every member of staff at once.
Evidence
Every drill and incident is captured automatically.
Take the next step
See a live lockdown fired in front of you and ask any questions. A teamSOS team member will walk you through what the platform looks like in your school or across your trust.
Primary schools from £350 / year · Secondary & SEN from £650 / year · trust-buy discounts available.
