Collection: Boarding School Trunks

The Boarding School Essentials: Trunks Built for a Lifetime

Since 1938, Mossman has been the trusted name for boarding school tuck boxes and trunks across British schools. Hand built in Cambridgeshire — lockable, durable, and available in over 20 colours to match your school or house colours. Free mainland UK delivery. Not sure which size to choose? See our FAQ below ↓

Our dedicated Boarding School Collection brings together everything a student needs to stay organised:

Traditional Tuck Boxes: The classic "lock-box" for snacks, stationery, and personal treasures.

Steamer Trunks: The perfect mid-size storage for uniforms, sports kit, and towels.

The King Trunk: Our largest capacity option, ideal for international students or those bringing bulky bedding and winter coats.

Why choose Mossman for school?

Custom School Colours: Choose from our wide range of PVC finishes to match your house or school colours.

Security First: Every trunk features a central lockable catch to keep belongings safe in shared dormitories.

British Craftsmanship: Hand-built in our Cambridgeshire workshop using traditional 5.5mm plywood and reinforced metal edges.

Use Case Recommended Product Key Feature
Snacks & Valuables The Standard Tuck Box Lightweight & Lockable
Daily Uniforms 36" Steamer Trunk Fits at the end of the bed
Full Term/Bedding 40" King Trunk Maximum storage capacity
Last Minute Gear Fast-Track Collection Dispatched in 24–48 hours

98 products

Frequently asked questions

What size tuck box do I need for boarding school?

Our standard Traditional Tuck Box measures 20 x 13 x 11 inches and is the most popular choice for boarding school pupils. It comfortably holds snacks, stationery, books, a tablet and personal valuables. If your child needs more storage and wants something they can sit on, our Stool Box at 20 x 13 x 14 inches adds extra depth and doubles as a seat. Most boarding schools specify a tuck box rather than a full trunk for dormitory use — check your school's kit list if you are unsure.

What is the difference between a tuck box and a steamer trunk?

A tuck box is a smaller lockable box traditionally used for snacks, stationery and personal items, and is the standard requirement for most boarding school pupils. A steamer trunk is larger and better suited to storing uniforms, sports kit, bedding and bulkier items. Many families buy both — a tuck box for the dormitory and a steamer trunk for the start and end of term to transport everything from home to school.

What is the difference between a flip lock and a cabin lock?

Aside from the cosmetic difference, flip locks are more popular and are generally a better option for boarding school students or those using their tuck/stool box regularly, as flip locks don’t require a key to open. They can be locked if necessary but require the key to do so, whereas cabin locks automatically lock when closed, so the key can be locked inside the trunk by mistake.

Can I get a replacement key?

Yes. Replacement keys for all of the trunks on our website are available for purchase and can be ordered online for your trunk. Just visit the Spare Keys page at https://www.mossman-trunks.co.uk/collections/spare-keysand order the keys you require. The keys are not numbered as all keys are identical, so you just have to select whether you require flip lock or cabin lock keys. We don’t offer replacement keys for older trunks though as the keys and locks have been discontinued.