You may have heard about Martyn’s Law, coming into effect in 2027. It’s designed to make public places, including schools, safer by improving emergency preparedness, especially for terrorism-related threats.
Martyn’s Law builds on existing safeguarding and health & safety practices. It’s about making sure we are prepared for rare but serious events, strengthening readiness and confidence across the whole school.
Martyn’s Law is UK legislation (officially the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025) designed to improve how public places prepare for and respond to terrorist threats. It aims to make schools, colleges and other education settings safer by ensuring they are prepared, organised and ready to protect pupils, staff and visitors if the worst happens.
One-Day Critical Incident & School Safety Training Course
Prepare your staff with the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills needed to respond effectively to serious incidents. This comprehensive one-day course is designed specifically for schools and educational settings, combining legal guidance, real-world scenarios, and hands-on exercises.
Session 1: Understanding Martyn’s Law
Gain a clear overview of current and upcoming legislation, including what Martyn’s Law means for schools and their responsibilities. This session also covers:
- Legal frameworks around the use of force
- Key principles from the Health and Safety at Work Act and Human Rights legislation
- Understanding the human stress response (fight, flight, freeze) and how it impacts decision-making in high-pressure situations
Session 2: Lockdown Procedures: Run, Hide, Tell
Learn how to respond swiftly and effectively during a lockdown incident using the nationally recognised “Run, Hide, Tell” guidance. This interactive session includes:
- Practical guidance on lockdown scenarios
- A tabletop exercise to test decision-making in real time
- Introduction to the Joint Decision-Making Model to support structured, effective responses
Session 3: Critical Incident Reporting & Response
Develop the skills needed to manage the aftermath of a serious incident with clarity and professionalism. Topics include:
- Emergency services response and coordination
- Essential first aid principles
- Effective briefing and debriefing techniques
- Post-incident procedures, recovery, and staff/pupil aftercare
Who is this course for?
School leaders, safeguarding leads, site managers, and all staff responsible for safety and emergency planning.
Outcome
By the end of the day, participants will have a clear understanding of their legal responsibilities and the confidence to respond decisively and safely in critical situations.
In most cases, schools already do much of what Martyn’s Law requires, but the law formalises and standardises these practices. Here’s a breakdown:
What schools usually already do:
- Evacuation plans – fire drills and clear exit routes are standard.
- Lockdown procedures – many schools already have plans for intruders or emergencies.
- Staff training – safeguarding, first aid, and emergency procedures are routine.
- Communication protocols – notifying staff, students, and parents in an emergency.
- Health & safety checks – routine risk assessments for students, staff, and visitors.
What Martyn’s Law adds:
- Formal registration with the regulator (Security Industry Authority) if required.
- Specific focus on terrorism-related threats – not just general emergencies.
- Requirement to assign a “responsible person” for protective security.
- Emphasis on proportionate, documented security planning beyond general risk assessments.
Schools are largely already prepared; Martyn’s Law mostly codifies existing best practices, ensures consistency across schools, and places a legal requirement on preparedness for terrorism-related threats.
Download the Martyn’s Law Myth Buster, provided by the Home Office, for more helpful information.
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