Martyn's Law for UK Schools: Compliance, Standard Tier & Essential Lockdown Systems
What is Martyn’s Law?
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, widely known as Martyn’s Law, marks a critical shift in how public-facing organisations, including UK schools, must prepare for the threat of terrorism.
Affected organisations must comply with Martyn’s Law by implementing practical measures such as evacuation, invacuation, lockdown, and clear communication procedures to mitigate potential threats.
Do Schools Have to Comply?
Yes. All early years, primary, secondary, and further education settings that can reasonably expect 200 or more people on-site fall under the Standard Tier. Even smaller schools are encouraged to adopt preparedness plans voluntarily. Compliance is not optional once the law comes into force at the beginning of 2027.
What Does Compliance Look Like?
Schools must implement systems and procedures to cover four essential outcomes:
1. Communication: Alerting people on the premises to the danger.
2. Evacuation: Getting people safely out of the premises.
3. Invacuation: Moving people to a safe place within the premises.
4. Lockdown: Securing the premises against attackers.
Crucially, in the context of a fast-moving threat, the success of Lockdown and Invacuation hinges entirely on the efficiency of your Communication.
Clear Communication is Crucial
Manual alerts and repurposed emergency systems will not be sufficient for compliance with Martyn's Law. The new legislation puts the communication requirements in the same bracket as that of a fire alarm. In a high-stress scenario, a fragmented system— utilising existing alarm systems, relying on staff shouting, internal phone systems, or email alerts—is simply not reasonably practicable for ensuring the swift and unified response required to save lives (especially in larger multi building sites).
The law requires that all reasonably practicable steps to reduce harm are taken. This is where the implementation of a dedicated Lockdown Alert System becomes a necessary component of your compliance strategy.
The AIS School Lockdown Alert System – Fast, Reliable & Cost Effective
For a school to achieve effective invacuation and lockdown, an alert must be instantaneous, unambiguous, and pervasive.
The AIS School lockdown alert system is designed to meet and exceed the procedural demands of Martyn’s Law, specifically in the area of Communication:
- Instant Activation: A single-button press (wired, wireless or via the lockdown App) immediately broadcasts a clear, pre-defined lockdown or invacuation message across the entire school. This eliminates the delay and ambiguity of manual processes.
- Unambiguous Communication: Systems are equipped with pre-scripted messages, such as "Invacuation – Go to Designated Safe Area," ensuring that all staff and students understand the precise action required instantly, a cornerstone of successful procedures.
- Compliance Made Easy: The system provides a digital log of the alert's activation time and reach, providing verifiable evidence that the school has a robust, consistently operable procedure in place—essential documentation for compliance audits.
- Alerts the Authorities: The system can be set up to automatically alert your preferred alarm receiving centre or ARC.
AIS offers a modular, scalable solution that can be:
- Installed as a standalone alert system
- Integrated with your existing PA system meaning less disruption, faster implementation, and lower overall cost.
Our modular approach to Lockdown Alert Systems, enables us to design and install solutions to suit clients with a variety of requirements and budgets.
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