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.
Your Martyn's Law checklist
Much of this builds on what schools already do. The first list is what the Act requires of standard tier premises. The second is what the statutory guidance strongly recommends.
Required by the Act
- Check you're in scope: 200 or more people expected on site at the same time, including staff. Schools stay in the standard tier even at 800 or more
- Know who the responsible person is: whoever controls the premises, usually the governing body or proprietor
- Notify the SIA once the duties start. The details and timings will be set out in regulations
- Have procedures for evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication, so far as is reasonably practicable
- Make sure staff with a role know the procedures and what they must do
- Co-ordinate with anyone else responsible for a shared site
Strongly recommended
- Write your procedures down. It isn't a legal requirement at the standard tier, but it helps you show compliance
- Decide who can start each procedure, and who calls 999
- Use a lockdown signal that sounds nothing like the fire alarm
- Test and practise through a rolling programme of table-top exercises and drills
- Review your procedures regularly, for example once a year and after any incident
- Use the free resources from the DfE and Counter Terrorism Policing, including ACT e-learning
Put it all in one place with our free lockdown, invacuation and evacuation procedures template. Running several schools? Read how Martyn's Law works in a trust, and use our trust-wide framework to set one standard for every school. Checked against the statutory guidance (updated 25 August 2026).
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.
Martyn's Law for schools, answered
Short answers to what school leaders ask us most. Anything else, we're happy to talk it through.
Ask us a questionDo schools come under Martyn's Law?
Yes. Schools are in scope where 200 or more people, including staff and pupils, can reasonably be expected to be present at the same time. Primary, secondary and further education settings stay in the standard tier even if 800 or more people are expected.
What do schools need to do under Martyn's Law?
Notify the Security Industry Authority (SIA), and have public protection procedures in place for evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication. Staff with a role in those procedures must know what the procedures are and what their role is.
When does Martyn's Law come into force?
The Act received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. The government has said there will be an implementation period of at least 24 months before the duties apply. The SIA expects the Act to come into force in spring 2027, with the exact date still to be confirmed.
Do schools need new equipment or physical security measures?
No. For standard tier premises, which include schools, the Act does not require physical alterations or the purchase of specific equipment. The duty is to have the right procedures in place.
Is Martyn's Law training mandatory for school staff?
There is no statutory training requirement. Staff with a role in the procedures must be made aware of them and of their role, and free resources such as ACT e-learning can help.
More on Martyn's Law
What the DfE guidance means
Our summary of the Department for Education guidance for schools, colleges and training providers.
Nathan Emmerich on education
An expert view from the Martyn's Law campaign's communications lead.
Are you ready for Martyn's Law?
A plain-English guide to the tiers, duties and penalties.
teamSOS Lockdown
The school lockdown alert system for your lockdown, invacuation and evacuation procedures.
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.