OS Free Maps for School (History Departments)

If you teach in the UK and have not yet applied for your free maps from Ordnance Survey you had better be quick as the deadline is the 17th of November . The scheme is amazing for all Geography departments and thousands of Year 7 students as the OS gives a free map (of a place of each schools choosing) to each student. A great way for student to enjoy the subject and discover geography where they are.

It's just a shame that this year the competition suggests that the maps might be better placed in a History classroom rather than a Geography one. Don't get me wrong now, as stated earlier in this blog, GGiP has nothing against History and yes Historians do needs maps as Geographers need to understand the past, but this is taking it a step to far.

The OS maps for schools competition has a day filming with the 'Time Team' as its prize. This is a fantastic prize and one which many students would be ecstatic to win (as I would). Of course archaeology has close links to both Geography and History, but I am worried that many Year 7 students will just make the wrong links (Geography competition, History prize).

What OS should be looking to do is promote Geography, help create role models for Geography, inspire students to use maps for the Geography and not join the masses that support other subject areas. The OS of all organisations should recognise the role and importance of Geography.

The OS do come to most Geography related conferences. Mind you, Geographer Fiona Reynolds, director of the National Trust gave the public lecture at the Geographical Assocation conference this year in Manchester (UK) and they appear to be doing more for History than Geography. Maybe the OS is thinking the same thing...

As Fiona said in her lecture at the GA

"..we have a lot to do to raise the profile of geography in the wider world. Not just because we are passionate about it – though we are; but because, quite literally, we can’t live without the skills, knowledge and insight that geography provides."

Quite right. So let's start doing more Geography in public OS and NT. Let's get the word Geography, the grammar of Geography, the syntax of Geography and Geography role models all over the place.

OS - Let's get the word Geography or Geographer or Geographical added to the cover of your maps. What about using words like 'place' and 'space' at least once on your Landranger Maps?

NT - Lead the way! Let's have a 'Geography' section on your website.. why not talk about 'discovering the Geography' of place? You mention historical places and have history pages.. what about Geography? When I search for History in your site I get adult pages, when I search for Geography I only get schools pages... come in inspire the public to ask 'what's the geography of this place?'.