What you need to know by 2027
What the new legislation means for education providers and the practical steps schools can take before it comes into force.
When Martyn's Law was first introduced, many organisations took notice but adopted a "wait and see" approach while the legislation progressed through Parliament.
At Call Systems Technology Ltd (CST), we've been helping schools create safer learning environments for many years through reliable communication and emergency notification solutions. As education providers are planning for the new requirements, we're speaking to more schools that want to understand what the legislation means in practice and the steps they can take to prepare.
Although the likelihood of a terrorist attack affecting a school remains low, being prepared for any emergency has always been a key responsibility for education providers. Martyn's Law is designed to strengthen that preparedness by ensuring organisations have appropriate procedures in place to help protect staff, pupils and visitors should the unthinkable happen.
What is Martyn's Law?
Martyn's Law, officially known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, was introduced following the tragic Manchester Arena attack in 2017, in which 22 people lost their lives, including Martyn Hett.
Following years of campaigning by Martyn's mother, Figen Murray, the legislation was introduced to improve public safety by ensuring those responsible for publicly accessible premises are better prepared for the risk of terrorism. Rather than focusing solely on physical security, the legislation places significant emphasis on planning, awareness and having clear procedures that staff understand and can follow during an emergency.
Will your school be affected by Martyn’s Law?
If you're responsible for the safety and security of a school, college or university, Martyn's Law is legislation you should be aware of.
Education settings are one of the sectors identified within the scope of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025. Whether the legislation applies to your individual setting will depend on factors such as the number of people who could reasonably be expected to be on the premises at any one time and how the premises are used.
While not every education provider will have the same legal obligations, all schools should take this opportunity to review its safety protocols, communication methods and incident response plans ahead of the legislation coming into force.
This includes many:
Primary schools, Secondary schools, Academies, Independent schools, Special schools, Further education colleges, Sixth form colleges, Universities
Understanding where your organisation sits within the legislation now will make it much easier to prepare well before implementation begins in 2027.
What will schools be expected to do?
One of the key principles behind Martyn's Law is that the requirements should be proportionate.
For many education settings, compliance will focus on ensuring there are clear and practical procedures that staff understand and can put into action if required.
These procedures may include:
- Responding to a terrorist incident on or near the school site
- Communicating quickly with staff, pupils and visitors
- Evacuation procedures
- Lockdown procedures
- Procedures for remaining safely inside the building where evacuation is not the safest option
- Staff awareness and training
- Clearly defined roles and responsibilities during an emergency
The legislation is not simply about installing new security equipment. It is about creating a culture of preparedness where staff know what to do and communication systems support a rapid, coordinated response.
Why schools should start preparing now
With implementation expected during 2027, now is an ideal time for schools to review existing arrangements while there is still time to plan, budget and make any necessary improvements without unnecessary pressure.
Reviewing emergency plans, assessing existing communication systems and identifying any gaps can all be done well in advance. Starting early also allows schools to spread any necessary improvements over time rather than rushing to make changes once the legislation is fully in force.
Through our work with schools, we've found that many already have strong emergency procedures in place. However, they are increasingly reviewing whether their existing communication systems would support them during a fast-moving incident. Understanding Martyn's Law for schools now will help education providers review their responsibilities and prepare well before the legislation comes into force.
Communication will play a vital role
During any emergency, the ability to communicate quickly, clearly and reliably can make all the difference.
Whether informing staff of a lockdown, directing visitors, notifying pupils or coordinating with emergency services, schools need confidence that critical information can reach the right people without delay.
Having clear procedures is only part of the picture. The ability to communicate those procedures effectively during a rapidly evolving situation is equally important.
Taking the next steps
Preparing for Martyn's Law isn't about creating unnecessary concern; it's about ensuring schools are ready to respond effectively should an emergency ever arise. By reviewing procedures, assessing communication methods and identifying areas for improvement, education providers can take practical steps now to strengthen their preparedness ahead of the legislation coming into force.
The good news is that schools across the UK already have strong foundations in place. Building on those existing procedures now will help ensure staff, pupils and visitors are better protected in the future.
At CST, we're committed to supporting schools with practical advice, dependable communication technology and ongoing expertise. As schools continue preparing for the implementation of Martyn's Law, we'll be here to help education providers understand the requirements and make informed decisions about their emergency communications.
Key takeaways:
Martyn's Law is expected to come into force during 2027.
Many education settings will be affected by the new legislation.
Schools should be reviewing emergency response plans and communication systems now.
Preparation is about improving readiness, not creating unnecessary concern.