What Martyn’s Law means for education settings

Named in memory of Martyn Hett, one of the 22 victims of the Manchester Arena attack in 2017. The act, which received Royal Assent on 3rd April 2025, takes a tiered approach, with requirements based on a venue’s capacity.

While most premises with 200 or more people will fall into either a standard or enhanced tier, education settings will have some specific considerations:

Early years, primary, secondary and further education settings will all be placed in the standard tier regardless of how many people are on site

Higher education institutions will follow the general model, with settings up to 799 in the standard tier and 800+ in the enhanced tier

Settings with fewer than 200 people are out of scope of Martyn’s Law, but are encouraged to put preparedness plans in place

How does this work in practice?

Schools, colleges, and universities will need to have clear procedures for:

• evacuation
• invacuation
• lockdown
• communication.

Each setting will also need to appoint a responsible person (such as a local authority or governing body), with enhanced tier institutions required to designate a senior individual to oversee compliance.

The government has confirmed there will be a 24-month implementation period before the Act comes into force, allowing time for those affected to understand and prepare for their new responsibilities.

The Home Office, Security Industry Authority (SIA) and Department for Education will publish further statutory guidance during the implementation period, supported by training and resources to help the sector prepare.

How we can help

For those working in education, the safety and wellbeing of students and staff is always a top priority. Martyn’s Law reinforces this responsibility, placing a renewed focus on how spaces are designed and managed – not just for daily life, but for moments of unexpected challenge.

As the education sector prepares for Martyn’s Law, we are here to help schools, colleges and universities understand the implications for their estates.

Through our multidisciplinary approach – spanning masterplanning, architecture, landscape and interior design, alongside building consultancy, surveying and geomatics – we support people in creating places that are not only inspiring and functional, but also resilient and secure.

You can also learn more about Martyn’s Law by visiting the Government website.

Frequently asked questions

1. What is Martyn’s Law and why does it matter for schools and universities?

Martyn’s Law, officially the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, is UK legislation aimed at protecting the public by requiring venues, including education settings, to prepare for and reduce the impact of terrorist attacks. For schools, colleges and universities, this means having clear procedures in place to safeguard pupils, students, and staff.

2. When will Martyn’s Law apply to education estates?

The Act received Royal Assent in April 2025 and will come into effect after a 24-month implementation period, expected in 2027. This gives education leaders, local authorities, and estate managers time to review their facilities and plan for compliance.

3. How will Martyn’s Law affect schools, colleges and universities?

• Early years, primary, secondary, and further education settings will be placed in the standard tier, regardless of size
• Higher education institutions will fall into either the standard or enhanced tier, depending on capacity
• Settings with fewer than 200 people are out of scope, but are encouraged to create preparedness plans for safety and security

4. What security measures will schools and universities need to introduce?

Education settings will need to prepare emergency plans covering:

• Evacuation – moving people safely out of buildings
• Invacuation – relocating people to safer areas inside
• Lockdown – securing premises against attackers
• Communication – ensuring clear and fast information sharing

Unlike some security legislation, Martyn’s Law does not require schools or universities to install new physical security measures. Instead, the focus is on planning, procedures and organisational preparedness.

5. What is a responsible person under Martyn’s Law?

For education estates, the responsible person will usually be the local authority, governing body, or proprietor. In enhanced tier settings (such as large universities), a designated senior individual will also need to document compliance and demonstrate how risks are assessed and mitigated.

6. How can schools, colleges and universities prepare now?

Although statutory guidance will be published during the implementation period, education leaders can begin by:

• Reviewing estate layouts to understand evacuation and lockdown challenges
• Mapping responsibilities between estate teams, governors, and senior leadership
• Embedding resilience into masterplanning, architecture, and estate management strategies

7. How does AHR support compliance with Martyn’s Law?

AHR brings together expertise across education, defence, blue light, transport, and public sector projects, where security and resilience are already critical considerations. Our multidisciplinary team offers:

• Architecture and masterplanning to design safe, secure learning environments
• Building consultancy, surveying and geomatics to assess existing estates and advise on compliance
• Landscape and interior design that supports both day-to-day wellbeing and emergency resilience

Can AHR help my education organisation get ready for Martyn’s Law?

Yes. We work with schools, colleges, universities and multi-academy trusts to ensure their estates are compliant, future-ready, and aligned with the new legislation. By combining deep sector knowledge with experience in high-security environments, AHR is well positioned to help education providers understand and implement Martyn’s Law effectively.