Does it apply to your school?
The Act covers a building mainly used for a Schedule 1 use where it is reasonable to expect 200 or more people may be present at the same time, from time to time (s.2(2)). Use for a primary or secondary education institution is listed (Sch 1 para 14), as are childcare and early years (para 13) and further education (para 15).
Count pupils, staff, volunteers and visitors at your busiest regular time, such as a normal school day or a performance evening. Most schools with more than a couple of classes per year group will pass 200.
Schools are always Standard Tier, however many people are on site (Sch 1 para 14). Events held at premises mainly used for schools, childcare or further education are also excluded from the separate "qualifying events" rules (Sch 2 para 6).
Check your school in two minutes with our free scope checker.
Who is responsible?
The Act names the responsible person for schools: generally the governing body, or the proprietor if there isn't one. For a pupil referral unit it is the local authority that maintains it (Sch 1 para 14(3)). In a multi-academy trust that will usually mean the trust, so check with your central team before starting your own version.
What you have to do (Standard Tier)
So far as is reasonably practicable, have appropriate procedures for evacuation, invacuation (moving people to a safer place inside), lockdown and communication if there is reason to suspect an act of terrorism is happening or about to happen nearby (s.5). Make sure staff who would carry them out are informed and, where appropriate, trained, and notify the SIA within three months of the duties starting, using its free service (Notification Requirements Regulations 2026). The notification asks for the most people you expect at once and how you worked that out, so keep a note of your counting. No physical alterations are required at Standard Tier.
Many schools already have lockdown procedures. Start from what you have and check it covers all four areas.
What the four procedures might look like in a school
Examples to help you think, not legal requirements:
- Evacuation: your fire routes, plus an alternative assembly point away from the road if the threat is outside.
- Invacuation: classrooms that can be closed, with blinds, and a plan for the playground, hall and canteen at break time.
- Lockdown: who secures the reception doors and gates, and a distinct alarm or message that means "lockdown", not "fire".
- Communication: how reception alerts all classrooms, how you update parents afterwards, and who calls 999.
Briefing staff, supply teachers and volunteers
- Include the lockdown signal in every induction, including supply staff and regular volunteers.
- Practise once a year, as you would a fire drill, in a calm way that doesn't frighten younger pupils.
- Keep a record of who has been briefed.
Checklist
- Confirm you are in scope and keep a dated note of your reasoning
- Confirm who is responsible: governors, proprietor or trust
- Review existing lockdown and evacuation plans against the four areas
- Brief all staff, including supply and volunteers, and record it
- Run a practice and note what you'd change
- Write down how you worked out your maximum number of people (for example seats plus standing room, staff and volunteers)
- Notify the SIA within three months of the duties starting (it is free)
- Review annually with your safeguarding and health and safety reviews