What does Martyn’s Law mean for your school buildings?

Martyn’s Law, formally known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, was granted Royal Assent on 3 April 2025 and will come into force by April 2027. It places a legal duty on those responsible for publicly accessible premises, including schools, to consider the risk of terrorism and mass-casualty incidents and to put proportionate protective measures in place.

For school leaders, this is not simply a matter of updating policies. In many cases, it will also require a careful look at your buildings and estate. Physical changes, such as perimeter security, access control and internal layouts, may be necessary to meet your obligations.

Full compliance is required by April 2027, which means the time to act is now. This guide explains what the law requires, what it means for your buildings and how we can support you through the process.

Which tier does your school fall into?

Martyn’s Law operates on a two-tier system, with requirements that reflect the size and footfall of your premises.

Standard tier

• All primary and secondary schools with more than 200 people on the premises
• Further education colleges with fewer than 2,000 people on the premises

Enhanced tier

• Higher education institutions with more than 800 people on the premises
• Further education colleges with more than 2,000 people on the premises

Where a higher education institution has fewer than 800 people on the premises, it falls into the Standard Tier. The Enhanced Tier carries additional requirements, with greater emphasis on proactive prevention and physical security measures.

What does Martyn’s Law mean for your school buildings?

This is where many schools will need to think carefully, as compliance is not achieved through paperwork alone. Your physical environment plays a central role in how effectively your school can respond to a serious incident.

A thorough survey of your estate will help identify vulnerabilities in your current buildings and grounds. Common areas to consider include:

• Perimeter security – Are your site boundaries adequate to restrict unauthorised access and, equally, to prevent pupils from leaving the site unsupervised?
• Access control – Can you manage and monitor who enters your buildings and grounds, including visitors, contractors and members of the public?
• Fencing and gating – Do your existing arrangements support a swift lockdown or invacuation if required?
• Internal layouts – Are there areas where pupils and staff can be safely moved out of sight in the event of an incident?
• Signage and wayfinding – Can staff and pupils navigate evacuation or invacuation routes quickly and clearly?

These considerations are closely linked to your wider estate management responsibilities and should be assessed alongside your existing building condition data where possible.

What are the key compliance requirements?

Regardless of tier, all schools in scope must:

• Appoint a competent person who is responsible for the premises and putting protective security measures in place
• Register with the Security Industry Authority (SIA), the designated regulator for Martyn’s Law
• Complete a risk assessment to understand the site’s vulnerabilities and existing mitigations
• Have tested procedures in place for evacuation, invacuation and lockdown, reviewed at least annually
• Establish a communication plan to inform staff, pupils, visitors and parents in the event of an incident
• Provide proportionate training for staff and age-appropriate guidance for pupils
• Maintain records of protective security measures that have been discussed and implemented

Protective security measures must be proportionate to the risks identified in your risk assessment and should be reviewed annually or when your school undergoes significant building works or a change in risk rating.

How can BTG Eddisons Education support your Martyn’s Law compliance?

Our role is to help you understand what your buildings need to do, plan the improvements and manage the works from start to finish. We work with schools, multi-academy trusts, independent schools and sixth form colleges across the country.

Site assessment

We carry out a thorough assessment of your estate to identify physical vulnerabilities and security risks. This gives you a clear picture of where your buildings currently fall short of what Martyn’s Law requires and what needs to change.

Strategy and design

Once we understand your site, we help you develop a practical improvement plan. This covers physical upgrades such as perimeter fencing, access control systems and internal adaptations, as well as the supporting policies and procedures your school will need.

Project management

We manage the delivery of your improvement works, specifying requirements and appointing suitable contractors to carry out the construction. You can rely on us to keep the project on time and within budget, with minimal disruption to your pupils and staff.

Speak to BTG Eddisons Education about Martyn’s Law today

The April 2027 deadline may feel distant, but physical improvements to school buildings take time to plan, approve and deliver. Starting early gives you the best chance of achieving full compliance without disruption to your school.

Please use the form below to arrange a free consultation with our team. We will take the time to understand your estate and advise on the steps you need to take.