Preparing for Martyn’s Law at Your School or Academy

What is Martyn’s Law?

Martyn’s Law is the legislation and formal legal duty which comes fully into force on 3rd April 2027, following a two-year implementation period, which will ensure all education settings (along with all other sites of any kind with a capacity of 200 people or more) are prepared for any kind of emergency. The focus is mostly on security and lockdown or invacuation procedures, but also includes evacuation and other emergency procedures.

Martyn’s Law is technically only relevant if your site can hold 200 people or more, which most but not all schools or education settings will. However, Handsam Ltd recommends smaller settings to undergo the same preparation, even though it is not a formal legal requirement, as it reflects best practice and will ensure you are better prepared. Please also note that all education settings remain within the ‘Standard Tier’ as there is an upper tier for venues which can hold 800 people or more, but the law recognises education settings as not needing to comply with the additional regulations placed on that size of venues.

What is the Security Industry Authority and Why is it Relevant to us?

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is the body charged by the government with overseeing the implementation of Martyn’s Law and it will also be the body that your setting must register with once registration opens (likely to be in March 2027).

The SIA has released a communications toolkit to help you share materials about Martyn’s Law with your networks. You will find suggested copy and creative assets to share via your channels. The toolkit will be updated as new guidance materials are developed.

To receive the latest updates about Martyn’s Law from the SIA and to take part in future engagement opportunities including volunteering to help the SIA test and develop its systems and processes, register for the SIA Martyn's Law newsletter.

What Should We Do Now?

Please note that you should act now as the implementation period ends on 2nd April 2027, which is only 6 months away, with Christmas acting as a half-way break point.

Consider if the security arrangements at your setting are suitable and sufficient. For example, review perimeter fencing and access to the site: is it of suitable materials, height, veracity etc? Do regular checks take place? Are there ways into your site which need to be addressed? Do you have a method of identifying visitors before they enter site? Is it clear where they must go to sign in once they enter site? Is there an ‘airlock’ at the point visitors enter the building so they cannot gain entry without being formally vetted? Does your reception team have any vulnerability to attack or are they suitably protected? Do staff and students know not to allow tailgating? How are visitors identified and do staff and students know to challenge anyone without identification?

Do you have blinds in place in all relevant areas – especially on ground floor windows. Are there locks on all relevant doors with staff having the ability to utilise them (for example do they have access to keys or codes as needed)? Do staff know what the lockdown alarm or alert is? Do they know how the end of a lockdown will be signalled? There have been cases where senior leaders have been coerced into lifting lockdowns, so safe words or phrases could be considered.

Consider how you will communicate across your site and with those who are coming to your site if you need to evacuate or go into lockdown. For example, what will a group undertaking a PE lesson on your field do in the event of needing to invacuate? Have you remembered to ensure any school trip does not return to site in the event of a lockdown? How will you communicate with parents during any emergency? How will you react to an incident occurring on a school trip?

Do you keep records of all types of drills – evacuation, lockdown, invacuation and the new allergy drill? Formats for keeping records can be found on the Handsam Quick Guides Library using the tag ‘Martyns law’: look for the document codes AM20 for allergy drills and F16 for all other types of drill. Records should include date and time, plus any issues which arose and how these are going to be addressed. Rehearsing and keeping records forms a critical piece of evidence for you that you are ‘prepared’.

HANDSAM RESOURCES

All these resources are available to HANDSAM clients via our system

• F16 Emergency Evacuation, Lockdown, Invacuation and Drill Record

• S10 Lockdown Procedure

• S14 Martyn’s Law: What Schools Need to Know

• S15 Invacuation Procedure

• S16: Martyn’s Law Compliance Checklist

What Other Resources Are Available?

The DfE and RPA have also produced a range of resources for the education sector relating to preparing for Martyn’s Law:

Their resource pack includes:

• Martyn's Law toolkit - a slide deck providing an overview of Martyn's Law, key FAQs and links to further resources;

• Martyn's Law Factsheet - a factsheet explaining Martyn's Law and signposting relevant guidance, training and support available to the education sector;

• Martyn's Law Poster – a poster highlighting the key requirements of Martyn’s Law; and

• Protective security and preparedness flyer - a flyer bringing together practical resources and QR codes for quick access.

You can also use the latest Home Office and ProtectUK resources, including guidance on notification requirements and the Home Office statutory guidance. Together they provide information to help settings understand the legislation and prepare for implementation.

The DfE have also stated that further resources will be published in due course. Handsam Ltd will keep clients up to date via Compliance Matters.