Geography · Year 3 · Mapping Our World · Autumn Term

Ordnance Survey Maps: Introduction

An introduction to Ordnance Survey maps, their purpose, and common features for navigating the UK.

• National Curriculum Attainment Targets
• KS2: Geography - Geographical Skills and Fieldwork

About This Topic

Ordnance Survey maps present detailed topographic views of the UK, showing physical features like hills and rivers alongside human elements such as roads and buildings. Students identify core components: the key with standardised symbols, grid references for precise locations, scale for measuring distances, and contour lines for elevation. These features serve the primary purpose of enabling accurate navigation on foot, by bike, or in emergencies, setting OS maps apart from road maps that prioritise motor routes with less terrain detail.

This topic aligns with KS2 geographical skills and fieldwork standards, building map-reading proficiency and locational knowledge. Students compare OS maps to simpler formats, spotting extras like public rights of way and vegetation. They examine professional applications, from hikers plotting safe paths to emergency services pinpointing incidents, fostering connections to real-life geography.

Active learning excels with Ordnance Survey maps because students handle authentic excerpts, decode symbols collaboratively, and test navigation in school grounds. Such practical tasks develop spatial reasoning and confidence, turning abstract symbols into meaningful tools through direct application and peer discussion.

Key Questions

1. Explain the primary purpose of an Ordnance Survey map.
2. Compare an OS map with a simple road map, highlighting key differences.
3. Analyze how OS maps are used by different professions, such as hikers and emergency services.

Learning Objectives

• Identify the key symbols and features present on an Ordnance Survey map, including the legend, grid lines, and scale.
• Compare and contrast an Ordnance Survey map with a standard road map, articulating at least three key differences in their purpose and content.
• Explain how specific features of an Ordnance Survey map, such as contour lines and grid references, aid in navigation for hikers.
• Analyze the role of Ordnance Survey maps in assisting emergency services to locate specific areas during critical incidents.

Before You Start

Basic Map Skills: Symbols and Directions

Why: Students need to understand the concept of symbols representing real-world objects and basic directional terms (north, south, east, west) before interpreting map keys and features.

Introduction to Local Area Geography

Why: Familiarity with local landmarks and the concept of different types of places (e.g., parks, roads, buildings) helps students connect map features to their environment.

Key Vocabulary

Ordnance Survey map	A detailed map of the United Kingdom produced by the Ordnance Survey, showing both natural and man-made features.
Legend (or Key)	A box on a map that explains the meaning of the symbols used. It shows what different colours, lines, and pictures represent.
Grid Reference	A system of lines on a map that allows you to find the exact position of a place or feature using numbers.
Scale	The ratio between a distance on a map and the corresponding distance on the ground. It helps measure how far apart places are.
Contour Lines	Lines on a map that connect points of equal elevation above sea level, showing the shape and height of the land.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

All maps show the same level of detail.

What to Teach Instead

OS maps include terrain and footpaths absent from road maps. Mapping walks around school let students compare real features to both types, clarifying purpose through direct evidence and group talks.

Common Misconception

Symbols on OS maps mean the same as everyday drawings.

What to Teach Instead

Standardised OS symbols represent specific features precisely. Creating class symbol keys from observed school features helps students grasp conventions, with peer reviews reinforcing correct interpretations.

Common Misconception

OS maps never change.

What to Teach Instead

Maps update with new builds or paths. Tracking local changes over time via repeated map hunts builds awareness of revisions, aided by collaborative timelines.

Active Learning Ideas

Stations Rotation: OS Map Symbols

Prepare four stations with OS map excerpts: one for the key, one for grid references, one for scale, and one for contours. Small groups spend 8 minutes at each, sketching examples and noting uses. Conclude with a class share-out of findings.

45 min·Small Groups

Pairs: Grid Reference Hunt

Provide printed OS map sections with 10 hidden grid references linked to features like churches or woods. Pairs locate and list them, then swap maps to check answers. Discuss accuracy as a group.

25 min·Pairs

Small Groups: Professional Map Use

Assign roles like hiker or paramedic to groups. Give scenario cards requiring OS map navigation, such as finding the nearest phone box. Groups plot routes and present decisions.

35 min·Small Groups

Whole Class: Map Comparison

Project an OS map and a road map of the same area side-by-side. Guide students to list similarities and differences through think-pair-share. Vote on best map for various trips.

30 min·Whole Class

Real-World Connections

• Hikers and ramblers use Ordnance Survey maps, often called 'Ordnance Survey maps' or 'OS maps', to plan routes through national parks like the Lake District, identifying footpaths, elevation changes, and potential hazards.
• Mountain rescue teams rely on the precise grid references and detailed terrain information found on Ordnance Survey maps to quickly locate individuals in distress in remote or challenging environments.
• Event organizers for large outdoor events, such as the London Marathon or country fairs, use Ordnance Survey maps to plan access routes, identify safe zones, and map out emergency service points.

Assessment Ideas

Exit Ticket

Provide students with a small section of an Ordnance Survey map. Ask them to identify and write down: 1) the symbol for a specific feature (e.g., a church or a public toilet), 2) a four-figure grid reference for a named location, and 3) one thing the scale tells them.

Quick Check

Hold up an Ordnance Survey map and a simple road map. Ask students to point to or name one feature that is on the OS map but not on the road map, and explain why that feature might be important for a hiker.

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Imagine you are planning a picnic in a local park. Which type of map, an Ordnance Survey map or a simple road map, would be more useful and why?' Encourage students to refer to specific map features in their answers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main purpose of an Ordnance Survey map?

Ordnance Survey maps enable precise navigation across the UK by detailing terrain, paths, and landmarks with grid references and symbols. They support activities like walking, cycling, and emergency response, unlike road maps focused on driving. At Year 3, students grasp this through identifying features on local excerpts, linking to everyday uses.

How do Ordnance Survey maps differ from road maps?

OS maps show contours, footpaths, woods, and buildings for all-terrain navigation, while road maps emphasise vehicle routes with less landscape detail. Key differences include grid squares and comprehensive keys. Classroom comparisons using projections help students spot these, enhancing analytical skills for fieldwork.

Who uses Ordnance Survey maps in real life?

Hikers use them for route planning, emergency services for quick location responses, farmers for land management, and planners for development. Students explore these via role-play scenarios, plotting paths on maps to see practical value and build career awareness in geography.

How can active learning help teach Ordnance Survey maps?

Active approaches like station rotations and grid hunts make symbols tangible as students manipulate maps and match them to school grounds. Pair work on references builds accuracy through trial and error, while group role-plays connect features to professions. These methods boost retention and spatial skills over worksheets alone, with discussions clarifying confusions.