British Orienteering

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. 

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 your setting. 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. 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

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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. Attending Teaching Orienteering Part 1 is a prerequisite for anybody who wishes 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

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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

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