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BSOA Guidelines for getting your school mapped for orienteering
School Orienteering Maps
- Decide on the area to be mapped. In most cases this will be your school site.
- If the site is larger than the area that you will use for orienteering, do you need to have a map of the whole site or just part of it?
Black & White or Coloured Maps?
- There are two types of map for use in schools.
- Both have advantages and disadvantages.
- You will need to decide which type to go for.
Black & White maps
- Pros –
- cheap to reproduce in school.
- Cons –
- Only paper, need to protect them or they will go soggy when wet. Can be laminated at extra cost.
- Care needed to use the original for photocopying, otherwise distortion can happen
- Black & white not as colourful as full colour map.
Colour maps
- Pros-
- Attractive to use.
- Colours linked to those used on orienteering maps.
- Cons-
- Printing costs higher than B&W maps (Can laminate, at extra cost, to extend life)
Features of a good school map
- Whole map should fit onto an A4 size piece of paper, without being crammed.
- The map should have a legend clearly laid out on the front with a child friendly font, at the correct size for the age of the children (Avantegarde for KS1 & 2, or Arial for KS2 and above).
- Check that the language used is correct for your children.
- Magnetic North lines should be on the map and aligned to the top of the map.
- The map should have a scale, both written as a ratio and also a scale bar showing 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 metres.
Map Scales
- Most school maps are drawn at 1:1250 or 1:2500.
- For younger children or for children with learning difficulties, larger scales can be used, ie 1:500, 1:750 or 1:1000.
- Modern computer cartography easily allows the production of these larger scales
Making the map
- There are two ways to go about getting a map of your school drawn.
- You may do your own surveying and cartography.
- You may choose to employ a specialist school orienteering mapper.
Making your own map
- Pros-
- It is cheaper and you know the progress of the job.
- Cons-
- It is time consuming if you are not an expert.
- You may not have the equipment to do the job.
- You may have to update the map periodically.
Employing a school’s mapper
- Pros-
- You should have a professional looking map.
- The map should be accurate.
- The map should be updated periodically.
- Cons-
- Using a mapper can be expensive.
- You may not know the progress of the job and make sure that you know what you are getting for your money.
Getting a base map
- A base map is the skeleton map that is used to produce an orienteering map.
- Most schools will use the Ordnance Survey Superplan series for the base map.(1:2500 or 1:1250)
- State schools will be able to get a photocopy of this from their LEA architect’s department.
- Independent schools would normally have to buy a plan from an OS agent. The cost varies according to the size of the site, but is normally around £30 to £60.
Ordnance Survey – Crown Copyright – LEA Schools
- LEA schools are regarded by the OS as departments of the Local Authority, and, as such, are covered by the copyright licence held by the LA.
- This means that LEA schools can copy any mapping acquired from any Local Authority, provided that it is for internal requirements.
- A maximum size of A4 applies to the colour copying of maps.
- Maps over 51 years old can be copied without restriction.
Ordnance Survey – Crown Copyright – Independent Schools
- Copyright rules for reproducing Ordnance Survey mapping depend on your type of school
- Your school will need to purchase an educational licence from the OS.
- With an educational licence you can copy mapping for educational, teaching & research purposes.
- Ordnance Survey maps over 51 years old can be copied without restriction.
- Contact the OS for more information on copyright for schools.
Employing a School’s mapper
- There are not many orienteering mappers, and there are even fewer mappers who draw good school maps.
- Always ask to see a portfolio of the mapper’s work. (A good mapper will readily show his/her work).
- Get a price for the work. Most school maps will take at least 1 day for surveying and 1 day for the cartography. Therefore a minimum price will be in the region of £100 to £250 for a map.
- Other factors that may make your map more expensive are travel costs if the mapper is not local, extra time on preparation or surveying if the base map is not accurate.
Other Services from a Mapper
- The mapper may be able to produce maps at different scales for the use of children of different ages or abilities.
- The mapper may be able to produce lessons and resources for teaching orienteering in your school.
- The mapper should be able to advise you on Teacher/Leader courses for helping you to use your new map effectively, or be able to give your staff an in-service course.
- These services would have an additional cost but would enhance the use of your school map.
Making a contract - 1
- Ask the mapper to send you a letter to include the following information:
- The price for surveying & cartography.
- The scale(s) of the map(s) to be drawn.
- Whether the originals will be B&W or colour.
- The number of originals to be supplied.
- Whether updating is to be included in the price.
- If assistance is to be given with planning courses or lessons or staff training (ask for this to be itemised separately).
- The expected delivery date.
- The map title and any other information to be included on the map.
Making a contract - 2
- Check the information in the mapper’s letter carefully.
- If you are in agreement, send either a letter of acceptance, or better still a school purchase order form.
- If you do not agree to any part of the mapper’s letter, reply to the letter and ask for a corrected letter BEFORE sending an acceptance or purchase order.
- Keep in contact regarding the progress of the work.
On completion of the map
- Ask for a proof copy to be sent to you.
- Check the whole map carefully by walking around the site.
- Mark on any mistakes or where you think the map could be improved. Make a photocopy of this and send the original back to the mapper.
- When you are satisfied with the map, the mapper should send you the agreed number of originals.
- Once you are satisfied with the work, you can authorise payment.
School Orienteering Maps
- Decide on the area to be mapped. In most cases this will be your school site.
- If the site is larger than the area that you will use for orienteering, do you need to have a map of the whole site or just part of it?
Black & White or Coloured Maps?
- There are two types of map for use in schools.
- Both have advantages and disadvantages.
- You will need to decide which type to go for.
Black & White maps
- Pros –
- cheap to reproduce in school.
- Cons –
- Only paper, need to protect them or they will go soggy when wet. Can be laminated at extra cost.
- Care needed to use the original for photocopying, otherwise distortion can happen
- Black & white not as colourful as full colour map.
Colour maps
- Pros-
- Attractive to use.
- Colours linked to those used on orienteering maps.
- Cons-
- Printing costs higher than B&W maps (Can laminate, at extra cost, to extend life)
Features of a good school map
- Whole map should fit onto an A4 size piece of paper, without being crammed.
- The map should have a legend clearly laid out on the front with a child friendly font, at the correct size for the age of the children (Avantegarde for KS1 & 2, or Arial for KS2 and above).
- Check that the language used is correct for your children.
- Magnetic North lines should be on the map and aligned to the top of the map.
- The map should have a scale, both written as a ratio and also a scale bar showing 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 metres.
Map Scales
- Most school maps are drawn at 1:1250 or 1:2500.
- For younger children or for children with learning difficulties, larger scales can be used, ie 1:500, 1:750 or 1:1000.
- Modern computer cartography easily allows the production of these larger scales
Making the map
- There are two ways to go about getting a map of your school drawn.
- You may do your own surveying and cartography.
- You may choose to employ a specialist school orienteering mapper.
Making your own map
- Pros-
- It is cheaper and you know the progress of the job.
- Cons-
- It is time consuming if you are not an expert.
- You may not have the equipment to do the job.
- You may have to update the map periodically.
Employing a school’s mapper
- Pros-
- You should have a professional looking map.
- The map should be accurate.
- The map should be updated periodically.
- Cons-
- Using a mapper can be expensive.
- You may not know the progress of the job and make sure that you know what you are getting for your money.
Getting a base map
- A base map is the skeleton map that is used to produce an orienteering map.
- Most schools will use the Ordnance Survey Superplan series for the base map.(1:2500 or 1:1250)
- State schools will be able to get a photocopy of this from their LEA architect’s department.
- Independent schools would normally have to buy a plan from an OS agent. The cost varies according to the size of the site, but is normally around £30 to £60.
Ordnance Survey – Crown Copyright – LEA Schools
- LEA schools are regarded by the OS as departments of the Local Authority, and, as such, are covered by the copyright licence held by the LA.
- This means that LEA schools can copy any mapping acquired from any Local Authority, provided that it is for internal requirements.
- A maximum size of A4 applies to the colour copying of maps.
- Maps over 51 years old can be copied without restriction.
Ordnance Survey – Crown Copyright – Independent Schools
- Copyright rules for reproducing Ordnance Survey mapping depend on your type of school
- Your school will need to purchase an educational licence from the OS.
- With an educational licence you can copy mapping for educational, teaching & research purposes.
- Ordnance Survey maps over 51 years old can be copied without restriction.
- Contact the OS for more information on copyright for schools.
Employing a School’s mapper
- There are not many orienteering mappers, and there are even fewer mappers who draw good school maps.
- Always ask to see a portfolio of the mapper’s work. (A good mapper will readily show his/her work).
- Get a price for the work. Most school maps will take at least 1 day for surveying and 1 day for the cartography. Therefore a minimum price will be in the region of £100 to £250 for a map.
- Other factors that may make your map more expensive are travel costs if the mapper is not local, extra time on preparation or surveying if the base map is not accurate.
Other Services from a Mapper
- The mapper may be able to produce maps at different scales for the use of children of different ages or abilities.
- The mapper may be able to produce lessons and resources for teaching orienteering in your school.
- The mapper should be able to advise you on Teacher/Leader courses for helping you to use your new map effectively, or be able to give your staff an in-service course.
- These services would have an additional cost but would enhance the use of your school map.
Making a contract - 1
- Ask the mapper to send you a letter to include the following information:
- The price for surveying & cartography.
- The scale(s) of the map(s) to be drawn.
- Whether the originals will be B&W or colour.
- The number of originals to be supplied.
- Whether updating is to be included in the price.
- If assistance is to be given with planning courses or lessons or staff training (ask for this to be itemised separately).
- The expected delivery date.
- The map title and any other information to be included on the map.
Making a contract - 2
- Check the information in the mapper’s letter carefully.
- If you are in agreement, send either a letter of acceptance, or better still a school purchase order form.
- If you do not agree to any part of the mapper’s letter, reply to the letter and ask for a corrected letter BEFORE sending an acceptance or purchase order.
- Keep in contact regarding the progress of the work.
On completion of the map
- Ask for a proof copy to be sent to you.
- Check the whole map carefully by walking around the site.
- Mark on any mistakes or where you think the map could be improved. Make a photocopy of this and send the original back to the mapper.
- When you are satisfied with the map, the mapper should send you the agreed number of originals.
- Once you are satisfied with the work, you can authorise payment.
School Orienteering Maps
- Decide on the area to be mapped. In most cases this will be your school site.
- If the site is larger than the area that you will use for orienteering, do you need to have a map of the whole site or just part of it?
Black & White or Coloured Maps?
- There are two types of map for use in schools.
- Both have advantages and disadvantages.
- You will need to decide which type to go for.
Black & White maps
- Pros –
- cheap to reproduce in school.
- Cons –
- Only paper, need to protect them or they will go soggy when wet. Can be laminated at extra cost.
- Care needed to use the original for photocopying, otherwise distortion can happen
- Black & white not as colourful as full colour map.
Colour maps
- Pros-
- Attractive to use.
- Colours linked to those used on orienteering maps.
- Cons-
- Printing costs higher than B&W maps (Can laminate, at extra cost, to extend life)
Features of a good school map
- Whole map should fit onto an A4 size piece of paper, without being crammed.
- The map should have a legend clearly laid out on the front with a child friendly font, at the correct size for the age of the children (Avantegarde for KS1 & 2, or Arial for KS2 and above).
- Check that the language used is correct for your children.
- Magnetic North lines should be on the map and aligned to the top of the map.
- The map should have a scale, both written as a ratio and also a scale bar showing 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 metres.
Map Scales
- Most school maps are drawn at 1:1250 or 1:2500.
- For younger children or for children with learning difficulties, larger scales can be used, ie 1:500, 1:750 or 1:1000.
- Modern computer cartography easily allows the production of these larger scales
Making the map
- There are two ways to go about getting a map of your school drawn.
- You may do your own surveying and cartography.
- You may choose to employ a specialist school orienteering mapper.
Making your own map
- Pros-
- It is cheaper and you know the progress of the job.
- Cons-
- It is time consuming if you are not an expert.
- You may not have the equipment to do the job.
- You may have to update the map periodically.
Employing a school’s mapper
- Pros-
- You should have a professional looking map.
- The map should be accurate.
- The map should be updated periodically.
- Cons-
- Using a mapper can be expensive.
- You may not know the progress of the job and make sure that you know what you are getting for your money.
Getting a base map
- A base map is the skeleton map that is used to produce an orienteering map.
- Most schools will use the Ordnance Survey Superplan series for the base map.(1:2500 or 1:1250)
- State schools will be able to get a photocopy of this from their LEA architect’s department.
- Independent schools would normally have to buy a plan from an OS agent. The cost varies according to the size of the site, but is normally around £30 to £60.
Ordnance Survey – Crown Copyright – LEA Schools
- LEA schools are regarded by the OS as departments of the Local Authority, and, as such, are covered by the copyright licence held by the LA.
- This means that LEA schools can copy any mapping acquired from any Local Authority, provided that it is for internal requirements.
- A maximum size of A4 applies to the colour copying of maps.
- Maps over 51 years old can be copied without restriction.
Ordnance Survey – Crown Copyright – Independent Schools
- Copyright rules for reproducing Ordnance Survey mapping depend on your type of school
- Your school will need to purchase an educational licence from the OS.
- With an educational licence you can copy mapping for educational, teaching & research purposes.
- Ordnance Survey maps over 51 years old can be copied without restriction.
- Contact the OS for more information on copyright for schools.
Employing a School’s mapper
- There are not many orienteering mappers, and there are even fewer mappers who draw good school maps.
- Always ask to see a portfolio of the mapper’s work. (A good mapper will readily show his/her work).
- Get a price for the work. Most school maps will take at least 1 day for surveying and 1 day for the cartography. Therefore a minimum price will be in the region of £100 to £250 for a map.
- Other factors that may make your map more expensive are travel costs if the mapper is not local, extra time on preparation or surveying if the base map is not accurate.
Other Services from a Mapper
- The mapper may be able to produce maps at different scales for the use of children of different ages or abilities.
- The mapper may be able to produce lessons and resources for teaching orienteering in your school.
- The mapper should be able to advise you on Teacher/Leader courses for helping you to use your new map effectively, or be able to give your staff an in-service course.
- These services would have an additional cost but would enhance the use of your school map.
Making a contract - 1
- Ask the mapper to send you a letter to include the following information:
- The price for surveying & cartography.
- The scale(s) of the map(s) to be drawn.
- Whether the originals will be B&W or colour.
- The number of originals to be supplied.
- Whether updating is to be included in the price.
- If assistance is to be given with planning courses or lessons or staff training (ask for this to be itemised separately).
- The expected delivery date.
- The map title and any other information to be included on the map.
Making a contract - 2
- Check the information in the mapper’s letter carefully.
- If you are in agreement, send either a letter of acceptance, or better still a school purchase order form.
- If you do not agree to any part of the mapper’s letter, reply to the letter and ask for a corrected letter BEFORE sending an acceptance or purchase order.
- Keep in contact regarding the progress of the work.
On completion of the map
- Ask for a proof copy to be sent to you.
- Check the whole map carefully by walking around the site.
- Mark on any mistakes or where you think the map could be improved. Make a photocopy of this and send the original back to the mapper.
- When you are satisfied with the map, the mapper should send you the agreed number of originals.
- Once you are satisfied with the work, you can authorise payment.
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