Seeing this new policy paper reinforced in my mind why the decision to launch a Safeguarding and Major Incident Partnering service was the right one.
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, better known as Martyn’s Law, received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. Named in honour of Martyn Hett, one of the victims of the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, the law aims to improve protective security and organisational preparedness across the UK.
Key points for education settings:
– Tiered approach: Premises with 200+ people fall into standard or enhanced tiers, depending on capacity.
– Special consideration for schools: Early years, primary, secondary, further education, and DfE-funded independent training providers remain in the standard tier, regardless of size.
– Requirements: Settings will need procedures for evacuation, invacuation, lockdown, and communication. Physical security measures are not mandated.
– Responsible individuals: Schools and higher education institutions must appoint a responsible person; enhanced tier settings also require a Designated Senior Individual to document compliance.
Implementation period: At least 24 months before the law comes into force, giving settings time to prepare.
This law reminds us that protecting learners, staff, and the wider community requires proactive planning. Over the coming months, my team will be supporting education settings to understand Martyn’s Law, implement best practice, and ensure they are prepared for any major or critical incident.
If your school or training provider is starting to think about compliance, now is the perfect time to start planning.