Martyn's Law for schools and clubs: what you need to know
Written by The MagicBooking Team | Oct 14, 2026
8 min readMartyn's Law, the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, requires schools, clubs, and other qualifying venues to put documented public protection procedures in place. Compliance is expected from spring 2027.
What is Martyn's Law in practice? For most schools it means four written emergency plans, SIA notification, and a named responsible person. No major building works. No consultants required.
Through compliance, schools and clubs reduce the risk of harm to everyone on site. This guide covers what Martyn's Law means for schools and clubs, what the standard tier requirements are, and the steps you need to take before the 2027 deadline.
“The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, also known as Martyn's Law, will improve protective security and organisational preparedness across the UK by requiring that those responsible for certain premises and events consider how they would respond to a terrorist attack.” – Home Office, April 2025
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What is Martyn's Law?
Martyn's Law is the common name for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025. It is named after Martyn Hett, one of the 22 victims killed in the Manchester Arena attack in 2017. His mother, Figen Murray, campaigned for the legislation.
Martyn's Law received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. The Government has committed to an implementation period of at least 24 months before the duties come into force, making spring 2027 the earliest compliance deadline.
Martyn's Law applies across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
The terrorism protection of premises act creates a tiered approach based on how many people are reasonably expected to be present. Schools and clubs that meet the 200-person threshold are in scope.
Does Martyn's Law apply to schools?
Yes. Martyn's Law for schools applies to any school where 200 or more people are reasonably expected to be present at the same time – including staff and pupils. Most primary and secondary schools meet this threshold.
All schools – maintained schools, academies, free schools, independent schools, and alternative provision settings – remain in the standard tier regardless of their capacity. A school with 1,200 pupils is still standard tier. The enhanced tier does not apply to schools.
Who is the responsible person for schools?
- Maintained schools: the governing body
- Academy trusts: the trust board
The responsible person cannot delegate their legal responsibility, though they can delegate tasks to a senior leader such as the headteacher, school business manager, or DSL.
Does Martyn's Law apply to after-school clubs and breakfast clubs?
This is the question most club operators are not asking, and they should be.
Martyn's Law clubs guidance is clear: after-school clubs and breakfast clubs that operate on school premises fall within the scope of the school's Martyn's Law procedures. The school is the qualifying premises. The club is using that premises. This means club staff need to know the school's evacuation, invacuation, and lockdown procedures and be able to follow them during a session.
“After-school club staff should meet with the school leadership team to ensure the school's emergency procedures provide suitable measures to protect users.” – National Youth Agency, Martyn's Law guidance, 2025
If your club operates at a separate community venue – a sports hall, community centre, or hired space – and 200 or more people may be present, your venue may be a qualifying venue for Martyn's Law in its own right. In that case, the responsible person for that venue holds the Martyn's Law compliance duty.
What after-school clubs and breakfast clubs need to do
- Contact your host school's responsible person and confirm you are included in their procedures
- Ensure all club staff are briefed on the school's Martyn's Law evacuation plan, invacuation plan, and lockdown procedure
- If you operate at a community venue independently, check whether your venue qualifies and whether you meet the 200-person threshold
- Update your safeguarding and emergency procedures to reference Martyn's Law compliance
MagicBooking helps schools, after-school clubs and breakfast clubs keep attendance registers, emergency contacts, and session records in one place – the safeguarding evidence your school's responsible person will need. See how it works and book a demo.
What are the tiers of Martyn's Law?
The terrorism protection of premises act creates two tiers based on the number of people reasonably expected to be present.
Does Martyn's Law apply to outside events? Martyn's Law also applies to outside events where 800 or more people are expected.
The standard tier is designed to be low-cost and low-burden. As the Home Office states, the requirements “are centred around simple, low-cost activities with costs relating primarily to time spent.” Schools are already familiar with similar requirements through health and safety legislation.
Schools do not need to install CCTV, physical barriers, or access control systems. “Premises and events do not need to spend money on consultants to be compliant.”
| Standard tier | Enhanced tier | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it applies to | Premises with 200–799 people expected | Premises or events with 800+ people expected |
| Applies to schools? | Yes, all schools are standard tier | No, schools are exempted regardless of size |
| SIA notification | Yes, required | Yes, required |
| Evacuation procedure | Yes | Yes |
| Invacuation procedure | Yes | Yes |
| Lockdown procedure | Yes | Yes |
| Communication procedure | Yes | Yes |
| Physical security measures | Not required | Yes |
| Security plan (compliance document) to SIA | Not required | Yes, must be submitted |
| Designated senior individual | Not required | Yes |
What are the 5 key requirements of Martyn's Law for schools?
The five requirements for standard tier schools under Martyn's Law are:
- Notify the SIA – the responsible person must register the premises with the Security Industry Authority once the duties come into force
- Evacuation plan – a documented procedure to move people safely out of the building if an attack occurs
- Invacuation plan – a documented procedure to move people to a safe place inside the building
- Lockdown procedure – a documented and tested plan for securing the premises
- Communication procedure – a documented process for communicating with staff, individuals, and emergency services on the premises during an incident
These four procedures (plus SIA notification) make up the standard tier requirements. The Home Office confirms no capital spend is needed. What matters is that the procedures exist, are written down, and staff know them.
Martyn's Law checklist for schools and clubs
Use this Martyn's Law checklist for schools and clubs to check your readiness before spring 2027.
- Confirm whether your school or venue meets the 200-person threshold
- Name your Martyn's Law responsible person (governing body or trust board)
- Write and document your Martyn's Law evacuation plan
- Write and document your Martyn's Law invacuation procedure
- Write and test your lockdown procedure
- Write your communication procedure for staff and individuals on site
- Ensure all staff are briefed on all four procedures
- Register with the SIA when the duty comes into force (spring 2027)
- If you run a club on school premises, meet with the responsible person and confirm your sessions are covered
- If your club operates at a separate community venue (200+), check whether you are in scope as a separate qualifying premises
- Update your safeguarding and emergency policies to reference Martyn's Law compliance 2027
- Brief governors or trustees on the Martyn's Law requirements and timeline
How to prepare for Martyn's Law: next steps for schools and clubs
Martyn's Law compliance is not in force yet. But spring 2027 is closer than it looks, and the schools and clubs that prepare now will have an easier path to compliance.
- Check your scope. Does your school or venue have 200 or more people present at the same time from time to time? If yes, you are in scope.
- Name your responsible person. For maintained schools this is the governing body. For academies it is the trust board. Name who will lead the practical work.
- Write your four procedures. Evacuation, invacuation, lockdown, and communication. These do not need to be long documents. They need to be clear, tested, and known by all staff.
- Brief your whole team. Martyn's Law staff training for schools does not require formal qualifications. Staff need to know the procedures and understand what to do. Short briefings built into existing training days are sufficient.
- Register with the SIA. Once the duties come into force in spring 2027, notify the SIA. Guidance on how to do this will be published by the SIA ahead of the deadline.
Martyn's Law sits alongside KCSIE 2026 as part of a school's wider compliance picture. If you are reviewing your safeguarding policies this term, review your emergency procedures at the same time. They are two sides of the same coin.
Related reading
- KCSIE 2026: what schools and clubs need to know
- Ofsted inspection checklist 2026: evidence to have ready
External guidance
Running an after-school club, breakfast club, wraparound care club, or holiday programme? MagicBooking manages your attendance registers, parent consents, emergency contacts, and session records – all the safeguarding evidence your responsible person and Ofsted will need. Book a free demo.
Martyn's Law is coming – prepare now
Martyn's Law compliance is expected from spring 2027. The standard tier requirements are straightforward: four documented response plans, SIA notification, and a named responsible person. No consultants, no major building works, no capital spend needed.
For clubs and childcare providers operating on school premises, now is the time to speak to your host school's responsible person and confirm that your sessions are covered under their Martyn's Law procedures. Do not assume the school has thought about your club. Raise it directly.
The Martyn's Law 2027 deadline is not a reason to panic. It is a reason to plan. Use the checklist above, write your procedures this term, brief your staff, and confirm your SIA notification approach well ahead of the spring deadline.
MagicBooking helps hundreds of schools and clubs across the UK manage safeguarding records, attendance registers, and compliance evidence. If Martyn's Law has prompted a review of how you manage club admin, we would love to show you what is possible. Get started with MagicBooking.
Frequently asked questions about Martyn's Law for schools
Does Martyn's Law apply to schools?
Yes. Martyn's Law applies to any school where 200 or more people are reasonably expected to be present. Most schools meet this threshold. All schools, regardless of size, remain in the standard tier. Compliance is expected from spring 2027.
What does Martyn's Law mean for schools?
Martyn's Law for schools means the governing body or trust board must put four documented procedures in place: evacuation, invacuation, lockdown, and communication, and notify the SIA. No physical security measures are required. The requirements for standard tier premises are centred around simple, low-cost activities.
What are the 5 key requirements of Martyn's Law?
For standard tier schools the five requirements are: notify the SIA; have a Martyn's Law evacuation plan; have a Martyn's Law invacuation plan; have a lockdown procedure; and have a communication procedure for staff and individuals on site during an incident. No capital spend is required to meet these requirements.
What are the tiers of Martyn's Law?
Martyn's Law has two tiers. The standard tier covers premises with 200–799 people expected. The enhanced tier covers premises or events with 800 or more people expected. Schools always remain in the standard tier. Enhanced tier premises must add physical security and a compliance document submitted to the SIA.
Does Martyn's Law apply to after-school clubs and breakfast clubs?
Yes. Clubs operating on school premises fall within the school's Martyn's Law procedures. Club staff must be briefed on the school's evacuation, invacuation, and lockdown plans. Clubs operating independently at a qualifying community venue may also be in scope as a separate responsible premises. The National Youth Agency advises that after-school club staff should work directly with the school leadership team to ensure procedures cover their sessions.
Does Martyn's Law apply to my venue?
Martyn's Law applies to your venue if it is reasonable to expect 200 or more people to be present at the same time. If you meet this threshold, you have legal requirements to put public protection measures in place and notify the SIA. Event organisers who take control of a premises for an event with 800 or more attendees are also in scope. To comply, check your expected attendance, identify your responsible person, and document your procedures before spring 2027.
