As new legislation to prevent the harm of terror attacks passes into law, Nick Plumb from Netgenium considers how advanced Internet Protocol (IP) audio speakers can deliver improved safety and security for schools

In the tragic aftermath of the Manchester Arena attack, in which 22 people lost their lives when a lone terrorist detonated an IED, the then Government moved to introduce new legislation to mitigate the risk of future terror attacks in public places such as schools.

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, also known as ‘Martyn’s Law’ in tribute to Martyn Hett, who was killed in the attack, will require public premises, where 200 or more individuals may be present, to have plans in place to keep people safe in the event of an attack.

Larger premises, and events where 800 or more people will be present, are also affected by the move and are required to take the necessary steps to reduce their vulnerability to acts of terrorism, such as having CCTV in operation or carrying out bag searches or vehicle checks where appropriate.

A good system can make a huge difference in ensuring that important announcements and notifications are heard clearly throughout the school. However, not all PA systems are created equal

The impact of ‘Martyn’s Law’ for almost 25,000 schools across England will be significant, with thousands of sites and educational facilities moving to improve security protocols, implementing robust emergency procedures to prevent and reduce the harm of terror attacks.

And this comes at a time when education leadership teams face tough financial constraints while looking to maintain their ongoing commitment to ensure pupils are free to learn and develop in an environment that remains as safe and secure as possible.

IP audio speakers

One solution for hard-pressed education decision-makers is to install the latest in internet-powered audio speaker systems.

Today’s systems are at the cutting edge of reliable, efficient, and futureproof networking solutions, providing a wide range of security and operational advantages for staff and leadership teams.

They deliver significant financial benefits thanks to simplified installation, cabling routing, and network infrastructure configuration, while state-of-the-art control technology offers a whole host of quick and easy to use functions and features at the user’s fingertips – all of which are available and managed from a central point.

A good system can make a huge difference in ensuring that important announcements and notifications are heard clearly throughout the school. However, not all PA systems are created equal.

Before making a decision about which PA system to install in your school district or school, there are a few key things to consider.

Choose a system that is reliable, simple to operate, and has intuitive interfaces, such as clearly-labelled buttons and easy-to-use futureproof software and capabilities

Site-wide coverage

An effective audio speaker system should be able to reach everyone across the entire campus.

When evaluating potential systems, consider the size and layout of your grounds and make sure that the system is powerful enough to cover the entire area.

Also, with expert help, consider the location and positioning of speakers, ensuring they will be able to reach all areas including hallways, classrooms, as well as outdoor spaces and playing fields.

Simple to use

The specified system should be easy for anyone to use, including principals, administrators, and other members of staff.

Choose a system that is reliable, simple to operate, and has intuitive interfaces, such as clearly-labelled buttons and easy-to-use futureproof software and capabilities.

Can the system send emergency alerts, schedule bells, and upgrade firmware through a single dashboard?

Visual link-up

Your system is not only an audio system, but it can also be part of an eye-catching one.

As the visual aspect of an audio speaker system becomes increasingly apparent, particularly when it comes to emergency communication, quick and clear visual signage can be just as important as clear audio announcements.

Consider incorporating visual signage with your PA system vis IP displays, which can be used to display emergency messages, school announcements, and other important information.

This could be particularly useful in schools where some students may be non-English speakers or for compliance for deaf students, where clear visual messages are needed.

In an emergency…

If an emergency is declared, it is crucial that the school can be quickly and effectively locked down – and an IP audio system can quickly and clearly broadcast emergency announcements and instructions.

Look for systems that are compatible with panic buttons and other emergency notification systems, and allow for easy switching between pre-recorded emergency messages and live announcements.

Properly evaluating and choosing the right system will make communication more efficient and effective for everyone in the school

Today’s systems allow for integrated emergency paging and announcement functionality.

For example, when a panic button is pressed, an emergency message will be immediately broadcasted via the system.

So, having an emergency system integrated with the audio speaker system will save precious time in emergency situations.

The right price

Audio speakers are a beneficial investment.

Make sure you consider the whole cost of the system, including the initial purchase price, installation costs, and ongoing maintenance expenses – it’s important to remember that a high-quality system is a valuable asset that will serve the school for many years.

Speakers linked together via a secure network and connected to a central control point in the office, where an operator can implement a partial or full-scale school lockdown at the touch of a button, depending on the level of the threat or violence, are a cost-effective option for hard=pressed school budgets.

Make a difference

IP audio speaker systems can make a huge difference to school communications, reaching every corner of the campus to help keep people safe and secure in the event of an emergency.

Modern IP technology makes them easy to use for schools, delivering scalability and ensuring they can be utilised for other applications such as public address (PA) or broadcasting music, while in-built system scalability can accommodate any expansion or change in future requirements and infrastructure.

In short, properly evaluating and choosing the right system will make communication more efficient and effective for everyone in the school.