🏫 School Locker Sizes Explained: Choosing the Right Height, Depth & Lock Type (UK Guide)

The definitive UK guide to school locker sizes, covering recommended heights, depths and lock types for primary schools, secondary schools and sixth forms or colleges. Correct locker sizing helps avoid specification mistakes and ensures lockers fit bags, coats, laptops and PE equipment properly.

Locker sizing is one part of specifying a complete locker system. For a broader overview of locker types, materials and configurations used across education and other sectors, see our guide to commercial locker systems.

Table of Contents

• Primary & Nursery Locker Sizes
• Secondary School Locker Sizes
• Sixth Form & College Locker Sizes
• Complete UK School Locker Size Chart
• Lock Type Comparison
• Sizing for Bags, Laptops and Equipment

Primary & Nursery School Locker Sizes (Ages 4–11)

Recommended Locker Heights

Height	Reason
900 mm	Safe reach for younger pupils
1200 mm	Suitable for mixed Key Stage use

Recommended Depth

Depth	Typical Storage
320 mm	Coats, lunch bags, book bags
450 mm	Backpacks and PE kits

Where pupils store larger bags inside lockers, 450 mm depth is recommended. Shallower lockers are suitable where bags are stored separately.

Best Lock Types for Primary Schools

Lock Type	Why It Works
Swivel hasp (padlock)	Low key loss risk and easy supervision
Mechanical combination	No keys required

Individual key locks are generally avoided in primary settings due to the risk of lost keys.

Secondary School Locker Sizes (Ages 11–16)

Recommended Heights

Height	Typical Use
1800 mm	Main corridor storage
1500 mm	Changing and sports areas

Full-height lockers are commonly divided into 1–6 compartments depending on capacity requirements.

Depth Guidance

Depth	Suitable Items
450 mm	Backpacks, books, coats
500 mm	Sports equipment and winter clothing

Most UK secondary schools select 450 mm depth as a balance between capacity and corridor space.

Sixth Form & College Locker Sizes (16+)

Older students typically store laptops, large backpacks and personal devices. Lockers at this level must support technology, security and longer-term storage.

Charging Locker Considerations

Feature	Minimum Requirement
Depth	450 mm
Ventilation	Required
Power	UK 3-pin and/or USB

Complete UK School Locker Size Chart

Education Level	Height	Depth	Typical Use
Nursery	900 mm	320 mm	Coats and lunch bags
Primary	900–1200 mm	320–450 mm	Bags and coats
Secondary	1500–1800 mm	450–500 mm	Books and backpacks
Sixth Form / College	1500–1800 mm	450–500 mm	Devices and charging

Lock Type Comparison for Schools

Lock Type	Primary	Secondary	College
Key lock	Not recommended	Suitable	Suitable
Swivel hasp	Recommended	Suitable	Suitable
Mechanical combination	Recommended	Suitable	Limited use
Digital / RFID	Not typical	Optional	Recommended

Sizing Lockers for Bags and Devices

Backpacks typically require a minimum depth of 450 mm. Laptops and tablets require both depth and ventilation, particularly where charging is provided. Sports equipment may require deeper lockers depending on activity type.

Recommended School Locker Solutions

Once sizes are established, lockers can be specified by material, configuration and security level. View our full range of school locker solutions designed specifically for UK education environments.