# Lockdown procedures for schools and nurseries > Plan a lockdown procedure for schools and nurseries, covering signals, classrooms, outdoor areas, SEND, parents and calm drills, with official guidance. A school lockdown procedure explains how staff secure appropriate areas, keep children away from danger and communicate during a security incident. It needs to reflect classrooms, outdoor areas, children’s ages and individual needs. The DfE resources below apply to England; Martyn’s Law applies across the UK. ## At a glance - **Qualifying schools**: Standard tier even above 799 - **Childcare and further education**: Also receive the standard-tier exception - **Younger children**: Consider staff-only practice - **Martyn’s Law duties**: Not yet in force ## How Martyn’s Law applies to education Qualifying childcare, primary and secondary education and further education premises remain standard tier even when 800 or more people are reasonably expected at once. Settings below the 200-person threshold are outside the premises duties. Universities do not receive this standard-tier exception. The DfE’s Martyn’s Law policy paper explains the education position. Its separate security and emergency planning resources help settings prepare practical responses. The SIA expects the Act’s venue duties to commence in spring 2027; the exact date is unconfirmed. [Martyn’s Law for schools](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/schools) · [Martyn’s Law for nurseries and childcare](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/nurseries-and-childcare) ## Make signals and staff roles clear Agree who can start the procedure, how staff receive the signal and how it differs from a fire alarm. Include supply staff, office staff, catering teams and other adults who may be present. Explain how an authorised end to the procedure will be communicated. Use the actual timetable to discuss who is available. A procedure that assumes every adult is in a classroom may fail during lunch, arrival or an after-school club. Check how instructions reach toilets, separate buildings and outdoor areas. - Identify who contacts the emergency services when safe. - Agree classroom and shared-area responsibilities. - Include visitors and contractors in relevant instructions. - Provide an alternative if the main communication system fails. [What dynamic lockdown means](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/dynamic-lockdown) ## Plan for classrooms and outdoor areas Discuss how staff could secure occupied rooms, move children away from exposed areas and keep them calm. Check the available doors and controls beforehand. Never adopt arrangements that prevent escape from fire. For playgrounds, sports areas and trips between buildings, consider how staff would choose a safer route or nearby space. Moving everyone towards the usual classroom could be unsafe if the threat lies along that route. Decisions need to reflect where the danger is. [What invacuation means](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/invacuation) · [The four public protection procedures](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/public-protection-procedures) ## Include younger children, SEND and parents Plan around individual communication, mobility, sensory and medical needs. Discuss support with the adults who know the child, including families where appropriate. Consider accessible routes, essential medication and ways to explain changes calmly. Prepare parent messages and agree who can issue them. DfE guidance recommends prompt communication through the setting’s own channel, including asking parents and carers to stay away temporarily during an incident. Explain how further updates and any collection arrangements will be shared. - Use language and reassurance suitable for the children involved. - Check whether darkness or an alarm could cause particular distress. - Include individual support arrangements in staff briefings. - Keep emergency contact details accessible to authorised staff. ## Practise sensitively and review the gaps Start with staff discussion and a walk through the setting. DfE guidance says primary and early years practice may take place with staff while younger learners are absent. Where learners participate, consider age, wellbeing, accessibility and individual circumstances. Avoid simulated attackers, weapons or frightening behaviour. Review missed signals, inaccessible routes and unclear roles. Standard-tier Martyn’s Law does not require a written plan or set a drill frequency, but wider education, safeguarding and safety responsibilities still apply. This guide is general information, not legal advice. [Check your education setting’s Martyn’s Law tier](https://wardcote.co.uk/check-your-tier) · [Training and briefings under Martyn’s Law](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/training) ## Questions ### Does Martyn’s Law require a school lockdown procedure? Once the duties commence, qualifying schools need appropriate public protection procedures, including consideration of lockdown, so far as reasonably practicable. The duties are not yet in force. ### Does a school with more than 799 people become enhanced tier? Qualifying primary and secondary education premises remain standard tier. Childcare and further education premises receive the same exception; universities do not. ### Should nursery children take part in lockdown drills? DfE guidance recognises staff-only practice while younger learners are absent. Any involvement of children should reflect their age, wellbeing and individual needs. ### How should schools include pupils with SEND? Plan accessible routes, communication, support and medical needs individually. Consider participation in practice case by case and use it to identify adjustments, rather than excluding pupils automatically. ### What should parents do during a school lockdown? Follow the setting’s official messages and emergency instructions. DfE guidance recommends that settings ask parents and carers to stay away temporarily and explain how updates will be provided. ## Sources - [DfE: how Martyn’s Law will affect education settings](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/martyns-law-for-education-settings/how-martyns-law-will-affect-education-settings) - [DfE: school and college security guidance](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-and-college-security/school-and-college-security) - [DfE: protective security and preparedness for education settings](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67ed54d298b3bac1ec299be5/Protective_security_and_preparedness_for_education_settings_guidance.pdf) - [DfE: emergency planning for education and childcare settings](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/emergency-planning-and-response-for-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings/emergency-planning-and-response-for-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings) - [Home Office statutory guidance](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-terrorism-protection-of-premises-act-2025/terrorism-protection-of-premises-act-2025-statutory-guidance) - [SIA role and implementation timetable](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/understanding-martyns-law-and-the-sias-role-as-regulator) ## Related - [Martyn’s Law for schools](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/schools) - [Martyn’s Law for nurseries and childcare settings](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/nurseries-and-childcare) - [What is invacuation?](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/invacuation) - [Dynamic lockdown procedures](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/dynamic-lockdown) --- Source: https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/lockdown-procedure-schools · Last reviewed 2026-10-16 · Wardcote, venue and event security. General guidance, not legal advice.