Breakaway lanyards for schools and teachers

What a breakaway does

A breakaway is a plastic release at the back of the neck. If the lanyard is grabbed in the playground, caught on play equipment or a door handle, or snagged on a machine in a technology room, the release pulls apart, so the strap cannot tighten round the neck. Once the two halves are clipped back together, the lanyard is ready to wear again.

We recommend a breakaway on every lanyard worn by a student. Check your school's own health and safety policy for what is required.

Teacher lanyards

Teachers on duty are in the same playgrounds and classrooms as students, so most schools give staff a breakaway too. A teacher lanyard is usually a 15 mm strap in the school colours, printed with the school name or crest, with a J hook for the card holder. If staff wear the same lanyard every day and wash it often, a woven lanyard is worth considering: the design is woven into the strap, so it cannot rub off.

Colour code students, staff and visitors

Give each group its own strap colour, for example staff, students, relievers, visitors and contractors. Anyone on the grounds can then tell who is who at a glance, without reading a card. Pick colours that look different to people with colour blindness, such as navy, yellow and white.

If you would rather keep one lanyard colour, colour strip ID holders carry a coloured band along one edge, so roles can be told apart without reprinting cards. Different strap colours with the same artwork can go on one order, which also suits house colours.

Relievers and visitors

The office needs passes that can be handed out and collected again. Two options work well:

• Reusable slot-in name badges: aluminium badges branded with your logo. You print each name on paper and slide it in, so a new reliever gets a badge without a reorder.
• Printed plastic cards with sequential numbers, in a soft PVC holder on a visitor coloured lanyard, signed out and back at reception.

Universities and tertiary

Student ID cards can be printed in full colour with names, photos and barcodes. If your gates or library use contactless readers, RFID and NFC cards can be printed the same way; send us the make and model of your reader and we will supply a compatible card. An open face holder lets students tap the card without taking it out.

In stock or printed?

If you need breakaway lanyards now and branding can wait, our black safety release lanyards are held in stock in 10, 15 and 20 mm, with a minimum of 50. They cannot be printed. For lanyards in your school colours with your crest, choose custom breakaway lanyards: every custom order includes free artwork and a digital proof before anything is made.

Before you order

• Numbers for each group, plus spares for new enrolments and new staff
• A strap colour for each group
• Your crest or logo, and the school name as it should appear
• The size of your ID card or pass, for the right card holder
• The date you need them in hand, such as the first day of term

See what else schools order on our school lanyards page, or get a free quote.

Common questions

Do teacher lanyards need a breakaway?

We recommend one for staff who work with students. Check your school's health and safety policy for what is required.

Can each house have its own colour?

Yes. The same artwork can be printed on different strap colours in one order.

Can students wear ID without a neck lanyard?

Yes. A badge reel or clamp style clip attaches the card to a pocket or belt, and an armband holder suits sport and PE.