The findings reveal a significant awareness gap across the education sector, with 44% of staff reporting they are unfamiliar with the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, otherwise known as Martyn’s Law, and a further 31% unaware of any preparations being made ahead of its introduction.

Beyond the requirements of incoming regulation, the findings also highlight concerns surrounding everyday preparedness and a clear funding issue. The majority of staff (58%) believe their school is not prepared for a lockdown or a major security incident, yet 87% say they lack sufficient funding to implement effective lockdown and security measures.

While enforcement of the new duties – covering lockdowns, evacuation, invacuation and wider preparedness – is not expected until early to mid-2027, this leaves little more than a year for schools to prepare, with the new guidance sharpening urgency by clarifying who falls within scope and what is required to comply.

Despite low awareness of the legislation, the Act applies to education settings where 200 or more people are reasonably expected to be on site at any one time, meaning the vast majority of UK schools fall within scope.
According to the research, low awareness of law changes is also accompanied by growing concern over school safety, with more than one-third (36%) of education staff stating that schools have become more dangerous places to work, and high levels of aggression reported among pupils, towards staff, and from parents.

Alex Jay, CEO of Little Green Button, said: “The scale of these findings is deeply concerning. Schools are being asked to prepare for serious security threats without the funding, tools or clear guidance needed to do so confidently – with many not even aware of the legislation they are expected to prepare for.

“The guidelines are clear – this is about being able to share information quickly and effectively during an incident to support a response and reduce harm. As such, now more than ever, schools need to ringfence time to assess risks across their site, consider how technology can support faster and clearer communication, and ensure they have a simple, well-understood lockdown plan in place, all of which should be tested regularly. Early preparation doesn’t just reduce risk, it builds confidence among staff, students, and parents; important both in the context of rising incidents and as we enter a new regulatory environment.”

At Locker Space, we speak to schools on a regular basis who would love to provide a locker for their students, as well as many schools who are desperate to replace the old, worn-out lockers they currently have in place. However, they often find that due to a lack of capital budget and the high cost of new lockers, they can’t afford to purchase the number of lockers they really need, if any at all. That’s where we come in! We strongly believe that students shouldn’t be deprived of a school locker and therefore have created a locker rental package specifically for the UK’s education sector. For some schools, budget may not be the sole reason preventing them from acquiring new lockers, as space can also be an issue. We are very creative at Locker Space, and you might be surprised where our lockers can be installed.

The lockers are provided free of charge to all size schools, colleges, and universities. The lockers are owned by Locker Space and are available for parents/students to rent on an annual basis with Locker Space being responsible for their maintenance and digital code locking management. You can choose your locker and its location online via our safe and secure bespoke booking system – the rental cost for a student locker is £36 per year, allowing student use for the whole academic year from September through to July. Please note all bookings terminate at the end of the school year in July. The locker’s cost can be pro-rated so we can provide installation at any time of the year.

The lockers are designed and manufactured in UK. They are protected with Elite GUARD anti-bacterial powder coating, which fights bacterial contamination. It is 99.9% effective against MRSA and E-coli.

It is also shown to exhibit zero growth for fungi and moulds.

To enquire about the free supply of lockers for your school, college or university call us free on 0800 043 0015 or visit www.lockerspace.co.uk

A member of the team would love to learn more about your requirements and provide a no obligation free site survey.

Delta Security helps Woodbridge High School achieve ‘lockdown’

Delta Security, the CCTV and access control specialist, has helped Essex-based Woodbridge High School to further enhance the safety of its pupils and staff, with the installation of new swing gates that automatically close and restrict access in the event of a lockdown situation.

Lockdown, according to the National Counter Terror Security Office (NaCTSO), is a procedure designed to quickly restrict access and egress to a site or building (or part of) through physical measures in response to threat, either external or internal.

The lockdown system is designed so that the gates, situated at the school’s entrance, integrate with the existing access control and fob system. This enables school staff and visitors to access the site, but can be overridden and shutdown by authorised school personnel if site lockdown is required. Lockdown is activated through a button situated in the school’s reception, at which point an alarm is also raised.

Redbridge council has asked that all schools in the area put lockdown systems in place, and Woodbridge High School is one of the first in the area to have mobilised its system.

The gates are fitted with a CAME Stylo automation, which is ideal for pedestrian gates. It features a highly-robust 24V self-locking motor, that will stand up against intensive use.

Frank Gordon, School Business Manager At Woodbridge High School, says in today’s climate security in schools in paramount:

“No one enters the school without authorisation at the perimeter, and registration at reception. Each year we build further layers of security, and in today’s climate it is especially important to ensure our perimeter is as secure as possible,” he explains.

Delta Security has been working with Woodbridge High School for approximately ten years and so Frank approached the company to help mobilise a lockdown procedure:

“Delta Security is a supplier we know and trust to provide a first-class service,” he says. “Dave Mundy has extensive security knowledge and listens to our needs. He was therefore able to advise the best solution for us, and install within the school-holiday period to ensure minimal disruption. I would always recommend Delta Security to other schools.”

Dave Mundy, Operations Director at Delta Security, says lockdown procedures are becoming increasingly prevalent in schools: “We have seen increased interest from central London schools, especially around transport hubs such as St Pancras and Liverpool Street for a while now, and more recently in schools further out from the City centre. It is an area that I am particularly interested in, and give talks to schools on options and best practice.”

Woodbridge High School is a co-educational 11-18 comprehensive school, with c.1,650 pupils and 170 staff. Its large site accommodates a total of seven buildings.