Lockdown Procedures in Schools: What You Need to Know Ahead of the New Terrorism Bill

Oct 28, 2025

In light of the upcoming Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, often referred to as Martyn’s Law, all schools in the UK will soon have new legal duties to protect pupils, staff, and visitors from potential terrorist incidents. While many schools already have fire and evacuation procedures in place, lockdown plans are often less developed or untested. This Bill is set to change that. What Is Martyn’s Law? The Bill, named in memory of Martyn Hett—one of the victims of the 2017 Manchester Arena attack—aims to ensure that all public venues, including schools, take proportionate steps to improve security and preparedness. For schools, this means demonstrating that you have:
  • A written lockdown procedure
  • Staff who are trained and aware of what to do in an emergency
  • Regular practice drills and review processes
  • Clear communication plans for parents and emergency services
Further guidance will be published by the Home Office and the Department for Education (DfE) once the Bill passes, but schools should act now to review their readiness. What Should a School Lockdown Procedure Include? A good lockdown plan should be clear, realistic, and tested. It must cover how to:
  1. Initiate a lockdown – Define who has the authority to trigger it and how this will be communicated immediately to all staff (e.g. via an internal code phrase over a tannoy system, use of a specific alarm (not the fire alarm), phone groups, etc. 
  2. Secure the site – Procedures for locking external doors, closing gates, and controlling access.
  3. Keep pupils and staff safe – Instructions for locking classroom doors, turning off lights, moving away from windows, and maintaining silence.
  4. Maintain communication – How staff and leadership will stay in contact without compromising safety.
  5. Liaise with emergency services – Who will make the 999 call and coordinate once police arrive.
  6. Manage the all-clear – How to safely end a lockdown and account for everyone.
Common Issues Found During School Lockdown Audits Through NASPM’s support and audits of school premises, we often see:
  • Schools lacking in security audits and risk assessments, this is the foundation required to ensure the school has the right controls in place.
  • Plans that exist only on paper, not tailored for the school or tested in practice.
  • A reluctance to test for fear of worrying pupils and staff.
  • Inconsistent staff understanding, especially among temporary or lunchtime staff.
  • Confusion between fire evacuation and lockdown signals.
  • Weak communication channels during an emergency.
  • Unable to lock certain doors, although the plan states to lock doors.
These gaps can cause confusion when every second counts. Top Tips from NASPM Experts
  • Must be workable – ensure your plan is tailored to your school.
  • Keep it simple – Avoid jargon. Everyone should understand their role instantly.
  • Get the communication right! Without the right communication to alert everyone that there is potential danger how can you activate the school control measures
  • Drill it termly – Incorporate lockdown rehearsals into your safety calendar alongside fire drills.
  •  Involve everyone – Governors, business managers, and premises teams all have a part to play. 
  • Review annually – Especially after site changes or new building works.
  • Communicate sensitively with parents – Reassure them that drills are a safety measure, not a response to immediate risk.
How NASPM Can Help All NASPM members have access to:
  • A Lockdown Procedure Template tailored for schools
  • Example Risk Assessments 
  • A Security Audit document 
  • Training courses covering emergency response and compliance
Head to the website to see the resources available for you to self-serve.  You simply have to register for free membership to access these resources. Premium and our Founding Members have access to:
  • Expert email advice from our qualified health and safety specialists with a 48 hour response to all queries
  • A full range of Risk Assessments, Templates and Communication Plans
  • Discounted training courses covering emergency response and compliance
In addition, if you’re unsure where to start, the NASPM team can review your existing plans and help you prepare for the new legislation with confidence.
National Alliance of School Premises Management
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