Primary School Orienteering: Developing Map Skills, Teamwork and Real-World Learning
Primary school orienteering is a powerful way to develop map skills, teamwork and problem solving through PE. As part of Outdoor Adventurous Activities (OAA), orienteering helps pupils apply learning in real-world environments while building communication, leadership and decision-making skills. This blog explores how orienteering in primary PE can be taught progressively across KS1 and KS2 using engaging, team-based activities.
More than simply running with a map, primary school orienteering combines physical activity with problem solving, communication and decision-making, making it a powerful part of Outdoor Adventurous Activities (OAA).
When taught progressively, orienteering in primary PE helps pupils learn how to work together, plan routes, read maps and apply their learning in real environments. From simple team-based challenges in Key Stage 1 to more independent navigation and leadership tasks in Upper Key Stage 2, orienteering provides meaningful, engaging learning that supports both physical and personal development.
At PE Planning, our primary school orienteering lessons are designed to help teachers confidently deliver active, inclusive and purposeful PE, while developing the skills pupils need to succeed beyond the playground.
British Orienteering often describes the sport as “cunning running” – where pupils must think, plan and adapt while moving. This balance of physical and cognitive challenge makes orienteering ideal for primary-aged children.
Why Orienteering Works So Well in Primary PE
Orienteering naturally supports:
- Communication and listening
- Teamwork and cooperation
- Decision-making and problem solving
- Leadership and responsibility
- Map reading and spatial awareness
- Real-world application of learning
Because pupils must work together to succeed, learning becomes purposeful rather than abstract.
KS1 – Learning to Work Together
In Key Stage 1, orienteering focuses on teamwork, communication and cooperation, rather than formal navigation.
Early activities introduce pupils to working together through games such as team challenges, rescue tasks and cooperative movement activities. These games are fun and engaging for the children, but are so important for their social and emotional development. Through these games, pupils learn to:
- Share ideas
- Take turns
- Listen to others
- Understand that success comes from teamwork
These activities allow teachers to observe how pupils communicate and solve problems while keeping sessions fun and inclusive.
Exploring Through Play
Scavenger hunts and simple exploration tasks help pupils experience orienteering concepts in a safe, playful way. At this stage, children are learning how to work together rather than worrying about accuracy or speed.
Lower KS2: Developing Strategy and Leadership
As pupils move into Lower Key Stage 2, orienteering lessons begin to introduce planning, leadership and decision-making.
Problem-solving activities challenge pupils to communicate clearly, sometimes with restrictions (such as limited speech or blindfolded teammates). These tasks highlight:
- The importance of clear instructions
- The role of a leader
- How planning before doing improves outcomes
Obstacle courses and navigation challenges encourage pupils to guide one another safely, reflect on performance and adapt strategies. Leadership roles naturally rotate, giving all pupils opportunities to lead and support.
Introducing Direction and Symbols
Rather than teaching map skills through worksheets, pupils learn cardinal points, symbols and orientation through active games. Running, turning, stopping and navigating helps pupils physically link direction to space.
Creating simple maps of familiar environments (such as the hall or playground) helps pupils understand:
- Scale and proportion
- Accuracy and detail
- How maps represent real spaces using legends
This approach ensures map reading becomes relatable, meaningful and practical.
Upper KS2: Independence and Real-World Navigation
By Upper Key Stage 2, pupils are ready to apply their skills with increasing independence.
Pupils use techniques such as:
- Map orientation
- Thumbing and folding
- Route planning
They learn how small decisions affect efficiency, accuracy and success.
Picture Orienteering and Control Events
Picture orienteering and control-based events replicate authentic orienteering experiences. Working in pairs, pupils must:
- Interpret visual clues
- Plan safe routes
- Make shared decisions
- Follow safety rules responsibly
These lessons promote accountability, resilience and reflective thinking.
Advanced activities ask pupils to create their own maps and control courses, then evaluate how effective they are when used by others. This deepens understanding of:
- Accuracy
- Clear communication
- Quality map design
- Giving and receiving feedback
Why Teachers Choose Orienteering with PE Planning
Across the primary years, orienteering supports:
- Physical development through purposeful movement
- Cognitive development through problem solving
- PSHE and citizenship through teamwork and leadership
- Cross-curricular learning with geography, maths and outdoor education
Most importantly, it helps pupils learn how to think, plan and work together. At PE Planning, we have Orienteering units of work from Year 1 to Year 6, and all units are accompanied with Knowledge Organisers, Curriculum Documents and our New Online Assessment tool.
Primary School Orienteering – Final Thought
Primary school orienteering is not about finding the fastest route – it’s about helping children become confident problem solvers, effective communicators and supportive teammates.
With a progressive approach, orienteering becomes one of the most powerful tools in primary PE, developing skills that last well beyond the sports field and playground.
If we can help with anything PE related, please just shout! Or if you’d like to read further into how important fun and engaging PE is, check out this blog titled ‘Ensuring Enjoyment for all.‘
