Teaching Orienteering Training Courses
In order to deliver a high-quality orienteering programme within your school, British Orienteering recommends that teachers obtain training on how to deliver orienteering in a progressive way that meets the requirements of the appropriate National Curriculum. You can learn all about our teaching courses below.
British Orienteering has developed a Teacher training pathway aimed at teaching through schools and outdoor education, by people who need to know the basics of Orienteering instruction but do not wish to proceed to be assessed after that training. There is a progression into further Coaching Awards that are available from British Orienteering.
Teaching Orienteering Part 1
Teaching Orienteering Part 2
Young Leader Award
Teaching Orienteering Part 1
Teaching Orienteering Part 1 training is aimed at teachers, youth sector workers and people working in schools and outdoor centres.
The training delivers the knowledge, understanding and practical ability to teach the basic skills of orienteering. Anyone over the age of 16 may attend the course however the Orienteering Young Leader Award suitable for 14 – 19-year-olds may is more likely to meet young people’s needs. Attending Teaching Orienteering Part 1 is a prerequisite for anybody wishing to deliver the Orienteering Young Leader Award or attend the British Orienteering Teaching Orienteering Part 2 training.
Are there prerequisites?
The only prerequisite is that you must be over 16 years of age. It will be an advantage although not essential if you have knowledge of orienteering prior to the course.
What is a person who has attended a Teaching Orienteering Part 1 trained to do?
Introduce the basic skills of orienteering to beginners in a fun and exciting way on areas that are safe such as school sites or outdoor centre grounds. You will also be able to deliver simple competitions for participants.
What does Teaching Orienteering Part 1 training involve?
On the course you will be provided with the knowledge you require to introduce the basic skills of orienteering and be given the opportunity to discuss and practice using this knowledge. The course is 6 hours and practical in nature and you will be expected to join in with group discussions and activities.
What are the learning outcomes of the training?
Introduce children to orienteering in a safe environment
- Plan sessions which introduce the basic understanding of how to use an orienteering map and include the following skills: map as a bird’s eye view, the importance of north, map orientation, use of map colours and commonly used symbols, keeping in contact with the map and “thumbing”.
- Plan and deliver orienteering sessions that meet the safety standards required by British Orienteering.
- Organise and deliver simple orienteering competition
- Be able to advise children on the opportunities to further their orienteering experience
Is there assessment – if so what form does it take?
This course is not assessed; following the training candidates will receive a certificate of attendance. Candidates wishing to gain a formal, assessed qualification should talk to a tutor to identify the most appropriate route for them to take.
Course Dates
Please see the Coaching Courses page
Teaching Orienteering Part 2
Teaching Orienteering Part 2 training is aimed at teachers, youth sector workers and people working in schools and outdoor centres. The training delivers the knowledge, understanding and practical ability to teach some of the advanced skills of orienteering.
Anyone over the age of 16 may attend the course however the Orienteering Young Leader Award suitable for 14 – 19-year-olds may better meet young people’s needs. People wishing to deliver GCSE syllabuses’ for candidates from England, Wales and Northern Ireland should attend Teaching Orienteering Part 2. Candidates from Scotland will be shown the appropriate activities to meet their own curriculum requirements.
Are there prerequisites?
You must be over 16 years of age and have attended the Teaching Orienteering Part 1 course or former British Orienteering Level 1 course
What is a person who has attended a Teaching Orienteering Part 2 trained to do?
Introduce the skills of orienteering, specified below, to children or adults in a fun and exciting way on small areas with clear boundaries that have been risk assessed as safe. You will also be able to deliver a range of orienteering competitions.
What does Teaching Orienteering Part 2 training involve?
On the course, you will be provided with the knowledge you require to introduce the advanced skills of orienteering identified below and be given the opportunity to discuss and practice using this knowledge. The course is 6 hours and practical in nature, you will be expected to join in with group discussions and activities.
What are the learning outcomes of the training?
Develop orienteering skills in small areas with clear boundaries that have been risk assessed as safe for the level of participants involved.
Use your previous knowledge of planning learning programmes to plan programmes that include the use of a compass, scale, distance understanding, basic contours and the techniques required for the relevant external school examination.
Deliver orienteering sessions that achieve the outcomes of the learning programmes.
Organise and deliver a range of orienteering competitions.
Is there assessment – if so what form does it take?
This course is not assessed; following the training candidates will receive a certificate of attendance. Candidates wishing to gain a formal, assessed qualification should talk to a tutor to identify the most appropriate route for them to take.
Course Dates
Please see the Coaching Courses Page
Young Leader Award
The Young Leader Award is a new course developed for 14-19-year-olds who want to develop and learn coaching skills. Aimed to fit in with the Junior Sports Leader scheme the award encourages participants to work with younger children and to teach them the basics of Orienteering. The course:
Encourages pupils to assist as volunteers at local or school events, whilst supervised by an adult
Enables pupils to practice and gain confidence in setting out and delivering coaching sessions
Can be undertaken at school or as part of other youth initiatives
Provides pupils with a certificate and a coaching qualification on completion of the course
Course Details
- The 6-hour delivery is flexible to meet local requirements
- Teachers holding the appropriate orienteering training certificate are qualified to deliver the course.
Tutor Pack
The pack includes lesson plans, all resources, candidate handouts and the registration fee.
Tutor Pack Cost - £40 (Inc P&P) available from British Orienteering Office.
Candidate Certificates
Each successful participant will receive a certificate to show they have completed the course. Certificates cost £1.00 each (Inc P&P) and can be ordered in bulk.
Further information about the course is available from Development Team who can be contacted through British Orienteering.