Hostile Vehicle Mitigation for Primary & Secondary Schools
Schools are busy, open environments where pupils, staff, parents, visitors and vehicles often share the same spaces. Main entrances, drop-off areas, pedestrian routes, car parks and access roads can create different security considerations depending on the layout and location of the school.
Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) can form part of a wider security strategy where a risk assessment identifies a vulnerability to vehicle-related threats. The right solution should protect people while allowing schools to continue operating safely, with appropriate access for staff, deliveries, maintenance and emergency services.
At Broxap Townscape, we provide crash-tested HVM solutions including bollards, planters and vehicle security barriers, with options to suit different site layouts, access requirements and installation constraints.
Risk Management
Site-specific HVM designed around real school environments.
Vehicle Protection
Helps manage vehicle access near vulnerable areas.
Landscape Integration
Security measures designed alongside everyday school operations.
Proportionate Security
Physical protection where risk assessments identify a need.
Do Schools Need Hostile Vehicle Mitigation?
There is no blanket requirement for primary or secondary schools to install HVM.
Instead, HVM should be considered as part of a proportionate, site-specific approach to security. The Department for Education's current school and college security guidance states that preventative measures should reflect the individual requirements arising from a security risk assessment, with action proportionate to the threat, likelihood and potential impact.
A school may therefore have good reason to consider vehicle mitigation where its layout, surroundings or activities create a particular vulnerability. This could include a pedestrian entrance directly adjacent to a road, a drop-off area where vehicles and pupils are concentrated, or an open campus where vehicles can approach areas occupied by large numbers of people.
HVM is not appropriate for every school. The starting point should always be understanding the site, identifying the risks and determining what measures are reasonably practicable.
What Vehicle Risks Should Schools Consider?
HVM is concerned with vehicle-borne threats, but not every vehicle-related risk requires a crash-rated security barrier.
A school may need to consider several different scenarios, including:
- Accidental vehicle incursions
- Vehicles entering pedestrian-only areas
- Unauthorised vehicle access
- Deliberate use of a vehicle as a weapon
- Vehicles approaching entrances or gathering areas
- Increased vehicle and pedestrian interaction during peak times
- Temporary changes to access during school events
ProtectUK describes HVM as a risk-based discipline focused on reducing risks associated with vehicle-borne threats. Its current guidance emphasises security risk assessment, security planning, design and the deployment of measures appropriate to the threat and vulnerability of the location.
This is why simply installing bollards is not necessarily the answer. The type, position and performance of any HVM should be determined by the specific circumstances of the school.
Choosing the Right HVM Solution
HVM Planters
HVM planters combine vehicle mitigation with landscaping, making them particularly relevant where schools want security measures to form part of the wider environment.
Shallow Foundation HVM
Some school sites have extensive underground services or limited excavation depth. Shallow foundation HVM solutions can provide an option where traditional deep foundations may be difficult.
Fixed HVM Bollards
Fixed bollards can provide permanent vehicle protection where continuous separation between vehicles and pedestrians is required.
Does Martyn's Law Require Schools to Install HVM?
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, commonly known as Martyn's Law, applies to qualifying premises across the UK. For schools, the requirements are based on the number of people who may reasonably be expected to be present at the same time.
Primary and secondary schools have a specific provision within the legislation. Where 200 or more people may reasonably be expected to be present at the same time, the school falls within the standard tier.
Importantly, primary and secondary schools remain in the standard tier even where 800 or more people may be present. This means they do not move into the enhanced tier based on capacity alone, unlike many other types of qualifying premises.
For schools within the standard tier, Martyn's Law focuses on having appropriate public protection procedures in place, including evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication. It does not prescribe specific physical security measures such as HVM, bollards or vehicle barriers.
Schools with fewer than 200 people are outside the scope of the Act, although the government still encourages education settings to maintain appropriate security and preparedness arrangements.
HVM and School Streets
School Street schemes can change how vehicles and pedestrians interact around a school.
The Department for Transport's School Streets guidance specifically notes that changing the road layout and reducing motor traffic can alter the security risk profile of a location, including terrorism-related risks. It recommends considering proportionate protection measures and consulting a Counter Terrorism Security Adviser (CTSA) early in the design process where appropriate.
This makes School Street projects a useful opportunity to consider vehicle mitigation alongside:
- Traffic management
- Pedestrian safety
- Access restrictions
- Street furniture
- Emergency access
- School safeguarding
- Public realm improvements
Where Could HVM Be Used Around a School?
Main Entrances
Drop-off & Pick-up Areas
Pedestrian routes
School forecourts
Playgrounds and outdoor spaces
Sports and event facilities
How Townscape Products Can Help
Choosing HVM for a school requires more than selecting a bollard from a catalogue.
Townscape Products can support project teams with:
- HVM product selection
- Design and specification support
- Crash-tested vehicle security barriers
- CAD and BIM resources
- Installation guidance
- Foundation advice
- HVM planters and streetscape solutions
- Solutions for restricted excavation depths
Whether you're planning a new school, refurbishing an existing site or reviewing security around an entrance or pedestrian area, we can help you explore the options available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do schools need HVM?
Not automatically. There is no blanket requirement for schools to install hostile vehicle mitigation. HVM should be considered where a site-specific security assessment identifies a relevant vehicle-related vulnerability and physical protection is an appropriate and proportionate response.
Does Martyn's Law require schools to install bollards?
No. Martyn's Law does not prescribe HVM bollards or another specific physical security product for standard-tier schools. The standard-tier requirements focus on appropriate public protection procedures, including evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication.
Will primary and secondary schools be in the enhanced
tier if they have more than 800 people?
No. Primary and secondary education premises have a specific provision under the Act and remain in the standard tier even where 800 or more people may reasonably be expected to be present at the same time.
Can HVM be integrated into a school landscape?
Yes. HVM planters and appropriately designed bollards can be incorporated into landscaping and pedestrian areas, helping physical security sit alongside the wider design of the school environment.
Does every school need crash-tested bollards?
No. Crash-rated HVM should only be specified where the assessment and operational requirements justify that level of protection. Other traffic management or security measures may be more appropriate for some sites.