What are Ordinance Survey maps and what do the symbols stand for? - Presentation

Ordnance Survey (OS) maps are detailed tools for navigation and exploration, with a history tracing back to 1791 when they were first created to map Scotland after the Jacobite rebellion. The impetus for comprehensive mapping grew with the fear of a Napoleonic invasion, leading to the establishment of the Ordnance Survey as an organisation. Today, it operates under government oversight, with a workforce of 1,200 based in Southampton. OS maps are produced in both traditional paper formats and digital versions, including the Digimap service. They are particularly popular among walkers and explorers who wish to traverse various parts of the British Isles. The modern convenience of the OS maps app has made it a go-to resource for many, offering user-friendly navigation and a host of tutorials available online to help users find their way around the app.

Understanding the symbols on OS maps is crucial for effective navigation. These symbols represent various features and places of interest, allowing users to interpret the landscape and identify specific locations such as churches, towers, and other landmarks. Educators encourage pupils to familiarise themselves with these symbols by using an OS map of their local area or the examples provided in teaching materials. Additionally, understanding the scale of a map is essential; for instance, a scale of 1:2500 means that 4 cm on the map corresponds to 1 kilometre in the real world. Interactive activities, such as setting challenges for peers to locate features on the map or using the OS app in pairs, help to reinforce the practical application of these symbols and the concept of scale, thereby enhancing the map-reading skills of the students.