Buying Guide to Primary School Lockers
Choosing the right primary school lockers is an important decision for schools that want to create safe, practical, and organised storage for pupils. Whether you are upgrading cloakroom areas, adding new school lockers to corridors, or replacing older units, this guide explains everything you need to know before buying.
How Do I Choose a Primary School Locker?
When choosing lockers for schools, especially for younger children, there are several key factors to consider:
Height & accessibility – Pupils in primary education need low-height lockers so they can reach their belongings easily. Standard heights for primary school lockers UK are between 900mm and 1380mm, making them suitable for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 children.
Durability – School metal lockers are the most common choice because they are strong, long-lasting, and resistant to daily knocks and bumps. For heavy-use areas, consider laminate door options.
Safety – Rounded edges, strong hinges, and secure wall fixing are essential to prevent accidents.
Ease of use – Choose locking systems that children can manage such as simple hasp locks.
Hygiene – Look for lockers with ventilation slots or anti-bacterial powder coating to keep units fresh and safe for pupils.
Space planning – Schools often have limited cloakroom or corridor space. Multi-door units (2–4 compartments per frame) are space-saving and cost-effective.
Tip: Always check the dimensions of the school bags, coats, or PE kits that need to fit inside before choosing.
What Style of Primary School Locker Should I Choose?
School lockers come in a wide variety of styles to suit different educational environments:
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Steel Lockers – Widely used in schools across the UK. Steel school lockers are robust and affordable. These are the classic school metal lockers found in most cloakrooms.
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Laminate Door Lockers – Steel frames with durable laminate doors that resist scratches and are vandal resistant. Perfect for high-traffic primary schools.
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Timber Effect Lockers – Designed to give a softer appearance in classrooms, offering MDF doors with wood effect laminate and a durable steel frame.
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Plastic lockers – Ideal for wet areas, swimming pool areas or outdoor use, offering water resistance and impact protection.
Choosing A Colour For Your Primary School Locker
Choosing the right colour for primary school lockers is more than just an aesthetic decision — it can influence pupil behaviour, classroom atmosphere, and even organisation. Lockers for schools come in a wide range of vibrant and neutral colours, each with its own benefits.
Bright Primary Colours
Red – Eye-catching and energising. Red lockers can create excitement and stimulation, ideal for active areas such as PE changing rooms or hallways.
Blue – Calming and focusing. Blue lockers promote concentration and a sense of calm, making them suitable for classroom corridors or study areas. Check out our case study with blue school lockers.
Green – Refreshing and relaxing. Green is associated with balance and nature, helping pupils feel comfortable and reducing stress in busy cloakrooms.
Yellow – Cheerful and uplifting. Yellow lockers bring brightness to hallways, creating a positive, welcoming environment for children as they arrive at school.
Pastel Colours
Purple – Encourages creativity and imagination. Purple lockers are ideal in classrooms or reading areas, stimulating artistic thinking. Check out our purple locker case study.
Jade Green – Soft and soothing. This pastel shade combines the calming effects of green with a gentle tone, perfect for younger pupils.
Ocean Blue – Cool and serene. Ocean blue lockers add a calming presence without being too dark or formal.
Lemon – Light and cheerful. Lemon pastel lockers create a fresh, friendly atmosphere, ideal for infant areas or cloakrooms.
Neutral Colours
Light Grey – Modern and versatile. Grey lockers provide a clean, neutral backdrop that complements any school colour scheme.
Dark Grey – Professional and durable. Dark grey lockers can help mask scratches and wear, suitable for high-traffic areas.
Black – Sleek and contemporary. Black lockers can make colourful doors pop or be used in combination with bright accent colours.
Colour Zoning for Organisation
Many schools use colour strategically to improve organisation and wayfinding:
Assign different colours by year group or class to help pupils locate their lockers easily.
Use contrasting colours for doors and frames to make each locker stand out.
Colour coding can also support SEN pupils, helping them recognise their personal storage areas more easily.
How Do I Decide What Size Of School Locker I Need?
When buying primary school lockers, choosing the correct size is crucial to ensure that pupils can use them comfortably and store all necessary belongings inside. You also need to maintain safety in cloakrooms and corridors. Lockers for schools come in a variety of heights, widths, and depths, with multiple door configurations to suit your school’s layout.
1. Height
The height of primary school lockers should be age-appropriate:
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Infant / Key Stage 1 (ages 4–7) – Low-height lockers around 900mm–1000mm allow younger pupils to reach coats, bags, and PE kits independently.
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Key Stage 2 (ages 7–11) – Mid-height lockers of 1200mm–1380mm suit older primary pupils
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Full-height lockers (1800mm) – These are generally more suitable for secondary schools but can be used in primary settings if older children share lockers.
2. Width
Locker width varies depending on the storage needs and space constraints:
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300mm width – Ideal for single coats and small backpacks. Perfect for narrow corridors.
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380mm width – Provides extra space for larger bags or additional items like lunchboxes or sports kits.
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450mm width – Offers maximum storage per pupil, suitable for schools with more substantial storage requirements.
3. Depth
Depth is an often-overlooked dimension but is critical for usability:
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300mm depth – Works for jackets, thin coats, and small school bags.
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400mm depth – Provides extra room for PE kits or slightly larger backpacks.
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450mm–500mm depth – Suitable for schools needing to store bulky items such as large coats, sports bags, or lunchboxes.
Tip: Ensure doors open fully without hitting walls or adjacent lockers, especially in narrow corridors.
4. Door Configuration
Many school metal lockers and primary school lockers for sale offer multiple door configurations to optimise space:
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Single-door lockers – One compartment per pupil. Great for cloakrooms where pupils store multiple items.
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Double-door or 2-door lockers – Two smaller compartments stacked vertically; saves floor space.
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Triple-door or 3-door lockers – Common in primary schools; three children share a single locker frame.
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Four-door or 4-door lockers – Excellent for crowded corridors; each child has a compact personal compartment.
Tip: Multi-door lockers reduce costs and allow more pupils to be accommodated in limited space while maintaining organisation.
6. Space Planning Considerations
When planning to install school lockers, consider:
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Corridor width – Allow enough space for pupils to move safely while opening locker doors.
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Wall obstructions – Radiators, pipes, and skirting boards may require lockers to be raised off the floor using stands.
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Freestanding vs. wall-mounted – Freestanding lockers may need to be joined back to back for stability; wall-mounted lockers save floor space.
Tip: Always measure available space carefully before buying primary school lockers for sale, and check that doors swing open fully without obstruction.
What Locker Accessories Are Available?
When choosing primary school lockers, the right locker accessories can make a huge difference to their functionality and lifespan. Schools across the UK often enhance their school lockers with add-ons designed for safety, practicality, and ease of maintenance. Below are the most popular and useful locker accessories to consider:
1. Sloping Tops
Sloping tops are a simple but effective locker accessory that prevents pupils from placing items—such as lunch boxes, books or bags —on top of the lockers. This keeps corridors clear, reduces clutter, and helps staff maintain a clean and tidy environment. Sloping tops also make cleaning easier, as dust and debris can’t accumulate on flat surfaces.
2. Locker Stands
Raising lockers off the floor with stands helps to improve hygiene and accessibility. For cleaners, it allows easy access underneath for mopping, while for pupils, it ensures lockers are at a comfortable height. Locker stands are available in fixed or adjustable heights and can be supplied with optional seat benches for cloakroom areas.
3. Number Plates and Label Holders
Clear locker identification is vital in schools where hundreds of lockers may be in use. Number plates or magnetic name holders help pupils quickly locate their own storage compartment.
4. Locker Benches
For changing or cloakroom areas, adding integrated locker benches can maximise comfort and space efficiency. Bench seating allows pupils to sit while changing shoes or organising belongings, making daily routines smoother and more structured.
5. End Panels
To complete the look of a locker installation with laminate door lockers, matching end panels provide a polished, professional finish. These panels protect locker edges from knocks and scrapes, extending product life and enhancing the overall aesthetic of the corridor or cloakroom area.
Installation for Primary School Lockers
Installing lockers for primary schools correctly is essential for both safety and long-term performance. Whether you’re fitting lockers in a corridor, cloakroom, or changing area, professional installation ensures that your school lockers are safe, stable, and built to last. 3D Lockers offers a complete installation service.
Professional Locker Installation
School locker installation is important for larger orders. Our service includes:
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Delivery Coordination & Site Access
The installation team will liaise with your school to confirm delivery dates, vehicle access points, and the best route for moving lockers safely into the building. -
Meet & Greet the Delivery Vehicle
On arrival, the team will meet the delivery driver, check all items against the delivery note, and ensure every locker arrives in perfect condition. -
Offloading & Distribution
Lockers are carefully moved to their designated rooms or corridors. Installers handle all lifting, positioning, and assembly. -
Full Installation & Wall Fixing
For safety reasons, primary school lockers must be securely fixed to the wall to prevent tipping. This is particularly important in primary environments, where younger pupils may lean on or pull locker doors. The installation team ensures all lockers are level, stable, and anchored correctly using approved wall fixings. -
Final Checks & Handover
Once installed, the team conducts final safety inspections, checks locks and hinges, and ensures each locker operates smoothly. A handover is then completed with a member of school staff to confirm satisfaction and provide keys or master keys. -
Optional Cloakroom & Bench Installation
If your order includes integrated benches or sloping tops, these are fitted during the same visit to ensure a perfect fit and finish.
Where Is the Best Place to Buy Primary School Lockers?
When it comes to purchasing primary school lockers in the UK, choosing the right supplier is just as important as selecting the right locker type. You want a company that not only offers high-quality, durable products but also understands the specific needs of schools — from low-height options for young pupils to full installation and aftercare services.
3D Lockers is one of the UK’s most experienced and trusted suppliers of school lockers and primary school lockers. With over 30 years of industry expertise and understanding of the education sector, we have built a strong reputation for quality, reliability, and customer service.
We supply schools, academies, and nurseries across the UK. We have strong partnerships with leading UK locker manufacturers such as Pure Lockers, Elite Lockers, Probe, Whittan and QMP so we are able to provide extremely competitive pricing.
Order your Primary School Lockers today from 3D Lockers