Martyn’s Law Compliance for Schools: Start with Communication

From Compliance to Confidence

Martyn’s Law compliance for schools starts with simple, proportionate steps. Begin with communication. Clear alerts move people to safety fast. These have placed new duties on education establishments to improve emergency preparedness and public protection. For schools and colleges, the good news is that this doesn’t need to be complicated – especially when you start with communication.

Growing Awareness – But a Long Way to Go

Recent figures show that 26% of primary and 36% of secondary schools carried out lockdown drills in the past term.
This shows awareness is growing. Real incidents remain thankfully rare. However, with Martyn’s Law now in effect and a 24-month implementation window which started in April 2025, many schools and colleges are still unsure where to begin.

Why Communication is a Smart First Step

Martyn’s Law doesn’t ask schools or colleges to make sweeping, expensive infrastructure changes. Instead, it focuses on having proportionate, practical procedures in place — and that starts with clear communication. Whether it’s lockdown, invacuation or evacuation, ensuring the right message reaches the right people, quickly and clearly, is essential.

Many schools already have the tools — such as phones, PA systems, or Microsoft Teams — but may not have a joined-up system to trigger alerts or follow-up messaging. That’s where Digital Alerts come in.

Digital alerts for Martyn’s Law compliance in schools

Clarion works closely with schools, colleges and multi-academy trusts to create bespoke Digital Alert systems that integrate with your existing infrastructure. We take a consultative approach — no two schools are the same, and neither are their needs.

One Clarion customer, Saint Felix School, recently shared their experience:

Schools and Colleges: Different Setups, Shared Responsibilities

While the legal responsibilities are broadly the same – having proportionate plans and procedures in place – the practical requirements often differ.

• Digital alerts for Martyn’s Law compliance in schools i.e. primary and secondary, may need simple, cost-effective solutions such as desktop-based alerts, mobile triggers, or integrated messages via their 3CX or Teams phone systems.
• Colleges and boarding schools, which often span larger sites with multiple buildings and users, may require more complex, multi-zone integration — across PA systems, signage, mobile networks and internal comms platforms.

Clarion’s flexible system design means we tailor our Digital Alerts to your environment. Whether it’s lockdown, invacuation or evacuation, the goal is simple. The right message must reach the right people, quickly and clearly.

Helpful Resources and Further Reading

• https://clarioncomms.com/digital-alerts/
• https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/terrorism-protection-of-premises-bill-2024-factsheets
• https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67ed54d298b3bac1ec299be5/Protective_security_and_preparedness_for_education_settings_guidance.pdf

Start With a Conversation

Not sure where to begin? A short chat with Clarion’s team could help clarify next steps and identify how your current infrastructure can support Martyn’s Law compliance. There’s no obligation – just clear advice from experienced education IT and telecoms professionals.

Talk to Clarion about Martyn’s Law compliance for schools to find our more.