Objective:

• The objective of orienteering is to navigate through a predefined course, visiting all the designated controls in the correct order, and completing the course in the shortest amount of time.

           Map and Courses:

• Orienteers are provided with maps with information about the terrain, such as trails, vegetation, water features and elevation contours.
• They must use this map in conjunction with a compass to navigate.

           Controls:

• ‘Controls’ are specific locations marked on the map with circles and control codes.
• Orienteers must visit each control and verify their presence by marking a scorecard.
• Missing controls or visiting controls in the wrong order results in penalties.

           Courses:

• Orienteering events offer various courses of different lengths and difficulty levels.
• These courses may include traditional point-to-point courses, score courses where controls have different point values, and relay races.

           Start:

• Participants start the course at a designated starting point, often in staggered intervals to avoid crowding.
• They receive their maps and control cards at the starting area, so the opportunity of researching the route is limited, thus making the event fair for all participants.

            Control Descriptions:

• Along with the map, participants receive a list of control descriptions, which provide additional information about the location of each control, such as the feature it's located near or specific details about its placement.

           Navigation:

• Orienteers must use their map-reading and compass skills to navigate between controls.
• They must plan a route that optimises their path through the course.

           Finish:

• After visiting all the controls, participants return to the finish area to record their finishing time and return their scorecards or timing devices.

           Scoring:

• Orienteering is often scored based on elapsed time, with penalties added for missing controls or visiting controls out of order.
• The orienteer with the fastest time, including penalties, wins the event.

           Respect for the Environment:

• Professional Orienteers are acutely conscious of the environment.
• Orienteers should always practice ‘Leave No Trace’ principles, respecting the environment and minimising their impact on the natural surroundings.
• This is a great opportunity to reinforce these principles to your pupils.

In Key Stage One Orienteering, children should learn basic map reading skills, understanding some features on a map and what they represent. These skills enable children to navigate a map, select a route, and solve problems. Our Year 1 Orienteering lessons help children understand safety rules and procedures, as well as following event rules to participate with others and play fairly.

Orienteering lessons are an essential part of primary school PE. They provide opportunities for children to be challenged, building problem solving skills and resilience. Orienteering lessons help children improve their motor competence ensuring children move in different directions, and in a variety of different ways. Primary School Orienteering is also great for building confidence, developing social skills, and allowing children to recognise and celebrate their successes.

All PE Planning lesson plans are created by PE Specialists and include all the resources required to deliver a complete Unit of Work.  Our Orienteering lesson plans have full guidance, including illustrations, and you can choose to download either a quick reference plan or a full lesson plan. Our Orienteering lesson plans also follow the National Curriculum and allow you to deliver fun, engaging and rewarding lessons to your Year 1 pupils.  Best of all, each lesson plan is quick and easy to download and follow, making your life easier!