How Martyn’s Law will affect education settings
Published 1 September 2025
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Martyn’s Law
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (the Act) became law 3 April 2025. It is commonly known as Martyn’s Law, and is named in honour of Martyn Hett, one of the 22 people killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena terrorist attack. Martyn’s mother, Figen Murray, campaigned over many years for a new law to better protect the public in the event of a terror attack.
Implementation
The government intends for there to be an implementation period of at least 24 months before the act comes into force.
About the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025
The act will make individuals working at premises and events responsible for minimising the impact of a terrorist attack – this includes education settings. It is intended to improve protective security and organisational preparedness across the UK.
It sets out a tiered approach that is based on the number of people expected to be present at the same time. Premises with a capacity of more than 200 people will fall into either the standard or enhanced tier.
The standard tier applies to premises and events with a capacity of 200 to 799 individuals.
The enhanced tier applies to premises and events with a capacity of 799 or more individuals.
The Security Industry Authority (SIA), an arm’s length body of the Home Office, will regulate the act and provide support and guidance.
Why we need this legislation
The 2023 counter terrorism strategy, CONTEST summarises the current threat facing the UK as ‘enduring and evolving’, with a domestic threat that ‘is less predictable and harder to detect and investigate’. Terrorists have targeted a wide range of people and places in recent years. It is not always possible to predict where in the UK an attack might happen, or the type of premises or events that could be impacted – either directly (as the target of an attack) or indirectly (by being located near to the target of an attack).
While the Terrorism (Protect of Premises) Act is Home Office led, the Department for Education (DfE) have supported the introduction of the act. We have worked with the Home Office to set out the policy for education settings.
The threat level from terrorism in the UK is currently substantial, meaning an attack is likely. That is why having effective procedures in place is important. Through the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act, we can improve protective security and organisational preparedness across the UK.
What education settings need to know
The tiered approach is based on a venue’s capacity, but some education settings will have a special consideration.
Special consideration and standard tier
Early years, primary, secondary and further education settings have a special consideration in place and will be in the standard tier, regardless of their capacity.
DfE-funded independent training providers will fall under this special consideration and will be in the standard tier, even if their capacity is 800 or over.
Capacity-related tiers for 200 people or more
Privately owned independent training providers will not fall under the special consideration. These providers will be treated the same as other premises in scope of Martyn’s Law and the tier will depend on the venue capacity.
Higher education establishments will be treated the same as other premises: standard tier for settings with a capacity of 200 to 799 and enhanced for settings with 800 and above.
Out of scope for fewer than 200 people
Settings with a capacity of below 200 do not need to follow Martyn’s Law, but we encourage all settings to have preparedness plans for the safety of their learners and staff.
When the act comes into effect
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 received Royal Assent on Thursday 3 April. The government intends for there to be an implementation period of at least 24 months before the act comes into force. This period will enable those responsible for premises and events to have sufficient time to understand their new obligations, and to plan and prepare accordingly.
While those that fall within the scope of the act may wish to consider the requirements, there is no requirement to comply with them until the legislation comes into force. The government will publish statutory guidance during the 24-month implementation period. This will be subject to stakeholder consultation prior to publication. This guidance will assist those responsible to understand the requirements set out in the legislation.
What you will need to do to comply with the act
Settings will need to have appropriate procedures in place. This includes:
- evacuation (to get people out of the building)
- invacuation (moving people to a safe place)
- lockdown (to secure the premises against attackers)
- communication
There is no requirement to put physical security measures in place.
Settings will need to appoint a responsible person and notify the SIA, as the regulator. For primary and secondary education, further education, and higher education settings the responsible person is a body or institution, as set out in Schedule 1 of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025. This is, for example, the local authority or the relevant proprietor or governing body, as opposed to a designated individual such as a safeguarding lead or headteacher within the institution.
Enhanced tier education settings will need a designated senior individual (DSI) in addition to a setting’s responsible person. The DSI will need to document their compliance by recording information such as public protection procedures, how to remedy or mitigate risks, and how these measures reduce vulnerabilities or risks of terror attacks.
What we are doing
We are working with the National Counter Terrorism Security Office and the Home Office to help the sector to implement the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act. This includes:
- lunch and learn webinars
- guidance and factsheets
- products and resources for good security practice across education settings
- updates for the sector throughout the implementation period
- addressing policy issues for the education sector
The Home Office, SIA and DfE will publish statutory guidance during the 24-month implementation period. This guidance will help you understand the requirements set out in the legislation.
Third-party providers
DfE does not endorse any third-party products or providers offering paid services to enhance security measures and preparedness for education settings.