News

Martyn's Law requires schools to take reasonable, workable steps to reduce the impact of a terrorist incident, however unlikely that may feel in your setting. When schools come to us for help, it's usually after trying to write their own procedures and finding they don't hold up. In our experience, that first attempt tends to run into one of four consistent mistakes. In this blog, we look at each Martyn's Law mistake in a bit more detail. Can your school relate? 1. Hostage to

As we progress towards March 2027, when full compliance is expected, a lot of schools contact us perplexed by how they can go about defeating even the most committed terrorist. Referring to my experience in Athens between 2005 – 2008, when there were 130 terrorist incidents, I detail how to keep people safe in a high threat environment and the financial implications. I then remind them that Martyn’s Law is all about taking “reasonable and practical steps” to minimise th

Martyn’s Law places a legal responsibility on organisations responsible for publicly accessible premises to consider the threat of terrorism and take proportionate steps to protect people. Whether you are the identified Responsible Person (Headteacher/ Principal) or an individual (School Business Manager or Estates Lead) who has been given delegated responsibility, you must ensure appropriate procedures, training and preparedness measures are in place to help protect pupils,

This headline, reporting an incident at a school in Norwich, was not what caught our attention. Instead, it was a comment within the article, attributed to a parent, who said: “There was a total lack of communication from the school. To hear nothing, it was terrifying…to have no information ……your mind instantly goes to the worst.” This is exactly the type of dilemma we cover during the Scrutiny Phase of our Critical Incident Training. We explore with participants how, when t

If you type “critical incident management” into an AI tool, you’ll get a neat list. Usually six key elements. Clear structure. Logical. Sensible. On paper, it all looks covered. But there is a problem. AI has never stood in a corridor while alarms are sounding. It has never watched a senior leader try to process incomplete information while staff are asking questions and pupils are frightened. It has never felt the emotional weight of knowing that every decision carries cons

For many school leaders, Martyn’s Law can sound daunting at first glance. Any legislation linked to terrorism naturally raises concerns about complexity, cost and the emotional impact on pupils and staff. In reality, for schools and colleges, the focus of the law is far more measured. It is about preparedness, leadership and proportionate planning, not turning educational environments into high-security sites. Understanding what the law expects, and what it does not , is the

If you didn't get an opportunity to watch the recent news piece on ITV News about UK schools having to bring in 'American-style' lockdown drills in response to the rise in youth violence, you can watch the video via the link below. Apart from being scary for pupils and parents, lockdown is only one of four elements demanded under Martyn's Law. Do you know what the others are? Contact the AI Schools team if you'd like help understanding how your school can be fully compliant

When it comes to keeping schools safe and prepared, both crisis management and critical incident management play essential roles. While the two terms are often used interchangeably, they refer to distinct but connected processes that help schools respond effectively to unexpected events. Understanding the difference between them ensures your team can act swiftly, appropriately and with confidence when it matters most. Scope: The bigger picture vs. the immediate event Crisis m

When a crisis hits, schools need to be prepared. From safeguarding students and staff to communicating effectively and keeping operations running, critical incidents can quickly overwhelm even the most experienced leadership teams if there isn’t a clear plan in place.

Behind every well-run school estate is a team that knows how to balance safety, efficiency, and sustainability. But success in this area takes more than ticking compliance boxes—it requires fresh thinking, forward planning, and the right support to make estates work harder for the future.