How Martyn's Law will affect education settings

How Martyn's Law will affect education settings:

What Is Martyn’s Law?

Martyn’s Law refers to the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, passed on 3 April 2025. It’s named in memory of Martyn Hett, a victim of the Manchester Arena attack, following a campaign led by his mother.

This law will require those responsible for certain premises, including schools, colleges, and universities, to take steps to minimise the impact of a terror attack.

Who Must Comply and When?

Implementation Timeline:

There is a 24-month transition period before the law comes into full force. This aims to give education settings time to understand and prepare for their responsibilities.

Tiered Approach Based on Capacity:

• Premises with fewer than 200 people are out of the scope of this guidance, though all settings are encouraged to be prepared.

• Standard Tier (200–799 capacity) generally applies to education settings even if they exceed 800 people. Early years, primary, secondary, further education, and DfE-funded independent training providers all fall into this category.

• Enhanced Tier (800+ capacity): Applies to higher education institutions and privately owned training providers exceeding this number. These institutions face stricter requirements.

What Will Education Settings Need to Do?

Standard Tier

Appoint a 'Responsible Person' (e.g., the governing body or local authority) and notify the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and have procedures in place for emergencies, such as:

• Evacuation

• Invacuation (moving people to a safe interior location)

• Lockdown

• Communication protocols during emergencies

• No physical security installations are required under this tier. The focus is on low-cost, practical planning and coordination.

For Settings Under the Enhanced Tier:

They must meet the Standard Tier obligations plus

• Implement additional public protection measures (e.g., CCTV, bag searches, or vehicle checks) where it is reasonably practicable.

• Appoint a Designated Senior Individual (DSI) to document security policies and procedures, and submit them to the SIA.

Why Is This Needed?

The UK’s terrorism threat level remains substantial meaning an attack is likely. Terrorists can target a wide range of venue and not always where expected.

The guidance is to boost proactive preparedness and strengthen protective security across schools and colleges.

Support and Resources:

The government is supporting education settings through webinars, guidance documents, fact sheets and templates and tools tailored for education from the DfE, NaCTSO, and ProtectUK which aim to make compliance accessible without extra cost.

Read the policy paper here.