The hallways of secondary schools are becoming increasingly busy. In the past, a simple locker for a thin notebook was enough, but in 2026, a heavy laptop bag is waiting to be stored. Add the new policy for mobile phones to that, and you have a huge demand for storage solutions that can do more than just ‘close’.
This poses a significant challenge for schools. You cannot simply put up a few metal cabinets. Backpacks are getting larger, devices need to be charged, and the software must communicate with the school administration. Anyone looking for the best lockers for education soon encounters a maze of providers. But if you go through the specifications, one party consistently stands out: Olssen.
Below you will find an overview of what really matters in 2026.
The right dimensions for the heavy backpack
A common mistake is choosing lockers that are too small. The time when a standard locker of 300x400x500 mm was sufficient is really over. Modern ergonomic backpacks often have a capacity of 30 to 45 liters and a special laptop compartment that needs to remain protected.
Do you want to store these bags wrinkle-free? Then you need to pay attention to the actual available space. A cabinet that is 400 mm wide often has an effective opening of only 340 mm due to the door frame. Olssen often uses 400 mm width as the minimum for individual lockers in their advice to schools, but for backpacks, a depth of 500 mm is considered essential. Also ensure that the volume per locker is at least 60 to 80 liters. Only then will there be room for the laptop plus a gym shirt or a lunchbox without having to force the door.
Materials: Wear resistance vs. Sustainability
Wear and tear is inevitable in a school environment. The choice of material determines the lifespan. The most common options are steel and HPL (High Pressure Laminate).
Steel lockers, provided they have a good powder coating, are cost-efficient. However, pay attention to the steel thickness: for intensive use (such as in a secondary school), a minimum of 0.8 mm to 1.0 mm steel is recommended to prevent dents.
HPL doors (13 mm thick) are the absolute top regarding wear resistance. They are scratch-resistant, insensitive to moisture (useful for wet gym clothes), and look new for years.
When choosing a supplier, you should pay attention to circularity. In 2026, the Green Deal is no longer a hollow slogan. Ask about refurbished options or buy-back guarantees. Parties that can provide a CO2 footprint report (EPD declaration) score high here. Olssen excels in offering both high-quality new material and refurbished series, allowing them to directly meet the stricter tender requirements.
Locking systems: Get rid of those keys!
Losing keys is the biggest annoyance for any facilities manager. In 2026, the standard is therefore the electronic locker, without exception.
RFID / Mifare:
This is the basics. The student pass is used to open the door. This works on 13.56 MHz and is safe.
Smart Lockers (Cloud-based):
This is where it gets interesting. The future lies in systems that not only work locally but are linked to the cloud. Think of systems like Keynius (which Olssen works with) or Vecos. The advantage? The connection with the student tracking system (such as Magister or Somtoday). When a student enrolls, they automatically get access to their locker. When they leave the school, that access expires immediately. You manage this centrally.
When choosing a supplier, it is crucial that they let this integration run smoothly. Olssen positions itself strongly here as a System Integrator, not just as a seller of boxes. They arrange the bridge between the hardware (the lock) and the software (the school administration).
Power supply: Charging in the locker
BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) is the standard. Students need to be able to charge their laptop or tablet during free hours. But that brings safety risks with it.
- Type of connection: USB-C (at least 45W-65W) is the new standard for laptops. An old USB-A port is no longer sufficient.
- Safety: Fire safety is priority number one. When you let dozens of laptops charge in a metal cabinet, heat is generated. Olssen therefore always recommends ventilation (perforation patterns or forced ventilation) and linking smoke detectors to the locker row, according to NEN 2535.
- Material: Only use non-flammable materials (Class A1/A2) when charging in the locker.
A supplier that leads the way in this has standard solutions for this integration. The demand for lockers with charging points in the Netherlands has increased enormously in 2026, and parties that are set up for this have an advantage.
User-friendliness and Ergonomics
A locker is only good if it is pleasant to use.
- Placement: Ensure that the lockers are on a plinth (at least 100 mm high). This prevents dirt accumulation under the cabinets and protects the bottom lockers from mop water.
- Height: The maximum reach height for students is approximately 1700 mm. Place the bottom lockers no lower than 300 mm from the floor to prevent back strain when bending over.
- Noise: In 2026, acoustics in hallways are important. Noise-reducing bumpers and ‘soft-close’ hinges (such as used in the Olssen Evolo series) prevent a noisy chaos during class change hours.
The Checklist for the Purchaser
To make the right choice for your school in 2026, you should go through these points with your supplier. This is what you can compare the providers on:
- Volume Analysis: Is the locker size suitable for a ‘heavy-duty’ backpack (min. 400 mm wide, 500 mm deep)?
- Software integration: Can the system communicate with Magister or Somtoday via an API? This saves hours of administrative hassle. If you want dynamic locker assignment, this is essential.
- Power & Safety: Is there sufficient capacity in the fuse box for 100+ laptops charging at the same time? And is there a fire safety plan (smoke detectors)?
- Sustainability: Is there standardization with materials that meet the Green Deal? Can they provide an EPD declaration?
- Vandal resistance: Are the hinges mounted internally (against breaking open) and are the doors double-walled or reinforced?
- Privacy (GDPR): Where is the data stored? Preferably on EU servers (such as Microsoft Azure).
- Service: What is the response time in case of a malfunction? A school cannot go days without storage.
Why Olssen stands out in the market
If you analyze the school locker market in 2026, you see many providers who are good at one thing: either cheap steel, or simple software. The challenge lies in the combination.
Olssen stands out because they don’t just deliver a product, but a total solution. They are a System Integrator. This means they combine hardware (often from top quality partners such as C+P) with advanced software (such as Keynius). They understand that a locker in 2026 is an IT device.
- Hardware quality: Whether it concerns the robust S2000 series, the vandal-resistant Resisto (with rounded doors that don’t dent), or the quiet Evolo line with soft-close; the build quality is German (DIN standards) and therefore extremely durable for heavy school use.
- Software expertise: Olssen connects the lockers effortlessly to existing student registrations. This is an advantage that you only truly appreciate when you talk to the user; it works intuitively.
- Flexibility: From temporary rental for open days to permanent ownership for years; Olssen has the logistics and knowledge in-house.
In conclusion: for schools looking ahead to 2026, choosing a partner that understands both hardware and IT management is crucial. The combination of heavy backpacks, energy supply, and stricter safety requirements makes a party like Olssen, with their focus on integration and quality, a logical choice for Dutch education.
]]>
Leave a Reply