Generate clear reports on visitor activity and access history, giving you organised records without extra administrative work.
Preparing your school for Martyn's Law
Your complete resource hub for understanding and preparing for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act (Martyn's Law)
Martyn’s Law received Royal Assent in April 2025, with enforcement expected in April 2027.
If your school holds 200 people or more, you’ll need clear procedures to help reduce harm during a potential terror incident. That includes managing who enters your site, knowing who is on the premises, and being ready to respond in an emergency.
What is Martyn's Law?
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, known as Martyn's Law, is UK legislation requiring public venues and events to implement security measures against terrorism. The Act was created following the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, where 22 people lost their lives.
The legislation aims to improve public security and preparedness against terror attacks by ensuring that venues have appropriate procedures in place to reduce harm and respond effectively.
Martyn's Law applies across the UK to various public premises including schools, entertainment venues, shops/retail, restaurants and other public spaces that hold 200+ people.
The implementation timeline
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Current status
Martyn’s Law received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025, meaning it is now law, but it is not yet enforceable. -
Preparation period
There is an expected 24-month preparation period, with enforcement likely from around April 2027. During this time, the government will publish guidance explaining exactly what organisations need to do.
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What schools should do now
Schools should use this preparation period to review their current procedures, identify any gaps in access control and visitor tracking, train staff on updated protocols, and test their emergency response plans. Starting early gives schools time to introduce improvements gradually and address any issues before compliance becomes mandatory.
Standard tier requirements
For schools with 200-799 capacity, the focus is on implementing reasonably practicable security procedures. This includes:
Access control & monitoring
- Systems to control who enters your premises
- Methods to track and identify visitors
- Processes for managing unauthorized access attempts
Preparedness planning
- Clear procedures for responding to security incidents
- Emergency evacuation plans
- Communication protocols during incidents
Staff training
- Education on recognizing potential threats
- Understanding of security procedures
- Knowledge of emergency response protocols
Documentation
- Records of who accesses your premises
- Audit trails for compliance verification
- Evidence of training and procedure implementation
Enhanced tier requirements
Schools with 800+ capacity face more comprehensive requirements:
Risk assessment
- Formal evaluation of terrorism-related risks
- Identification of vulnerabilities
- Analysis of potential impact scenarios
Security plan
- Detailed documentation of security measures
- Specific protocols for different threat scenarios
- Integration with local emergency services
Advanced procedures
- More sophisticated access control systems
- Enhanced visitor screening processes
- Comprehensive emergency response capabilities
The solutions UK schools need
Preparing for Martyn’s Law requires schools to move beyond manual processes and fragmented systems.
To meet the new expectations, schools need solutions that provide clear control over who enters the site, real-time visibility of everyone on the premises, and reliable records that support compliance.
A modern visitor management system helps bring these elements together in one place, making it easier to manage access, respond quickly during emergencies, and maintain accurate, audit-ready documentation - without adding extra administrative pressure on already busy staff.
How visitor management supports compliance
Digital visitor check-in
Replace paper sign-in books with a simple digital process that records visitor details automatically and keeps a clear log of who enters and leaves your site.
Visitor pre-registration
Allow expected visitors to register in advance so arrival is quicker, smoother, and easier for reception teams to manage.
Real-time visibility
See exactly who is on your premises at any moment with live dashboards showing current visitors, staff, and contractors.
Instant evacuation lists
Generate up-to-date roll calls instantly during drills or emergencies, helping staff quickly account for everyone on site.
Automatic audit trails
Every visitor interaction is time-stamped and securely recorded, making it easy to demonstrate compliance if needed.
Simple reporting
Next steps
The 24-month implementation period gives schools time to prepare properly, but starting early reduces pressure and allows for thorough testing.
Download our compliance checklist
Use this checklist to understand the key steps for complying with Martyn's Law and where visitor management fits in.
Learn more about Martyn's Law for schools
Read our blog post for a deeper dive into what Martyn's Law is and what UK schools need to know.
A comprehensive guide to Martyn's Law
Everything UK schools & public venues need to know about Martyn's Law - what it is, who it affects, misconceptions, how to prepare and more.