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School security procedures: templates and guidance

Keep your school safe in the event of a terrorist attack or other major incident. Download and adapt our template emergency plans for lockdown, invacuation (shelter) and evacuation.

Last reviewed on 18 March 2026See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 41642
Contents
  1. Make sure you're ready for Martyn's Law
  2. Who does Martyn's Law apply to?
  3. Emergency procedures could also help you prepare for other incidents
  4. Appoint a security lead
  5. Carry out emergency drills
  6. Think about exam contingency planning
  7. Download and adapt our templates
  8. Communicate your procedures to pupils and parents/carers

Make sure you're ready for Martyn's Law

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, also known as Martyn's Law, became law on 3 April 2025. There is an implementation period of at least 24 months from then until the act comes into force.

Martyn’s Law requires your school to:

  • Prepare for a potential terrorist attack; and
  • Be ready to help keep people safe if there is an attack

This includes having 3 different emergency procedures in place, depending on the type of security incident near or inside your school premises:

1. Lockdown to prevent people entering or leaving the school

This should be in response to a dangerous intruder on the school premises. It's about locking or barricading a room’s doors and windows to delay or stop someone intending to cause harm from getting into an area of the school.

This means moving people