Martyn’s Law for schools, colleges and nurseries: does it apply, and what to do

Does Martyn’s Law apply to schools, colleges and nurseries?

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 covers premises used for a listed purpose, in this case education or childcare, where it is reasonable to expect 200 or more people, including staff, to be present at the same time from time to time. Schools, colleges and childcare premises are always standard tier when 200 or more people can be present, however large the site. Almost every primary and secondary school is in scope.

Schools, colleges and nurseries have a special rule: they are always standard tier once the 200 threshold is met, however large the building. The enhanced tier, with its documented measures and multi-million-pound penalties, does not apply to them.

Typical examples in scope:

• primary schools
• secondary schools
• sixth-form colleges
• nurseries and pre-schools
• independent schools
• further education colleges

What you must do

The standard tier asks for three things, none of which cost money:

1. Notify the SIA. When the Act commences, expected spring 2027, the responsible person tells the Security Industry Authority they are responsible for the premises, through an online service the SIA is building. Nothing is submitted for approval.
2. Have four procedures in place, so far as reasonably practicable: evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication. The Act does not prescribe a document, but an inspector will ask to see what you have.
3. Make sure the people on duty know them. Staff, volunteers or hirers must be able to carry the procedures out quickly. A one-page briefing and a signed log is the practical way to show it.

There is no requirement for physical measures, security staff, CCTV or searches at the standard tier. The maximum penalty for non-compliance is £10,000.

What is different about schools, colleges and nurseries

• Most schools already have lockdown and invacuation procedures from safeguarding and DfE guidance. Martyn’s Law mostly means writing them down in one place and naming the responsible person.
• Communication must reach classrooms, playgrounds and off-site groups. Say how the signal is given and how it differs from the fire alarm.
• Parents and visitors on site for events count towards capacity and need to be included in the procedures for those events.
• The responsible person is normally the governing body, trust or proprietor, with the headteacher as the day-to-day lead.

Five steps before spring 2027

1. Set your capacity figure: the most people, including staff, at your biggest regular event.
2. Name the responsible person and one day-to-day lead. Write both down.
3. Walk the building and decide three places: the outside assembly point, the safest room inside, and which doors can be locked.
4. Generate the procedures pack, correct anything that does not match the building, and print it.
5. Brief everyone on duty with the one-page sheet, log it, and put a review date in the diary.

Open the free generator with school defaults .