GuidanceNew duties, September 2026
Benedict's Law and Martyn's Law: what schools need to do
Benedict's Law applies from September 2026. Martyn's Law arrives in spring 2027 and every school already has its tier.
Benedict's Law
Allergy safety became a statutory duty in September 2026. The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 inserted section 100A into the Children and Families Act 2014, and the Department for Education published the statutory guidance, Allergy Safety in Schools, on 6 July 2026.
It is named after Benedict Blythe, who was five when he died following an allergic reaction at his primary school in 2021.
What it requires
A dedicated allergy safety policy, published and reviewed annually. Allergy and anaphylaxis training for all staff rather than first aiders alone, including supply and agency. Spare adrenaline auto-injectors for emergency use. Individual healthcare plans for pupils with diagnosed allergies, and incidents recorded and reviewed.
It applies to maintained schools, academies and pupil referral units in England. Independent schools are not caught yet, although equivalent requirements are expected.
What to do this term
- Allergy safety policy written, adopted and published on the website.
- Training booked for every member of staff, not just first aiders.
- Spare auto-injectors in date, accessible and their location known.
- Individual healthcare plans in place for pupils with diagnosed allergies.
Martyn's Law
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 received Royal Assent in April 2025, statutory guidance followed in April 2026, and commencement is expected in spring 2027. Every school sits in the standard tier by virtue of the legislation itself rather than by headcount.
The standard tier is about procedures and awareness rather than physical security. What people would do if an attack happened at or near the site, and whether staff know it. The responsible person is the governing body or the trust board.
Where schools already are
Most of this sits in the lockdown procedure, which already covers invacuation, lockdown and evacuation to a place of safety. Expanding it now means it lines up with the standard tier before commencement. There is nothing to comply with yet, and no notification to make.
What to do this year
- Lockdown procedure reviewed and updated as the guidance settles.
- Staff briefed on lockdown and invacuation, including new starters.
- A lockdown drill run once the procedure has been updated.
How we help
We draft allergy safety policies alongside the medical conditions arrangements, and revise lockdown procedures so they line up with the Martyn's Law standard tier before commencement.
General guidance only. It does not replace the fire risk assessment, water hygiene risk assessment or specific advice for a particular building.
