School Orienteering

Delevolping orienteering in your schools
Local competition
Safety
Contacts

Children enjoy orienteering because it is a fun way to explore wild outdoor areas, to get fit, and to gain confidence with maps.

School Orienteering in Leicester, Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire

Many local schools have been mapped enabling basic map reading skills to be practised.
Some time ago local students won the British Schools Championship.
Some local students have been included in teams at the World Schools Orienteering Championship.

Leicestershire Orienteering Club can help schools initiate orienteering activities and to offer opportunities for students to make the transition to orienteering at local club events.

Developing Orienteering in Your School

Orienteering is a cross-curricular activity that supports Maths, PE and Geography. The lead in a school could be taken by any subject teacher. Simplified and progressive orienteering activities can start in the school grounds or inside the classroom.

British Orienteering supports the development of orienteering in schools. Advice on mapping, teacher training, community orienteering, competitions and resources can be found on their School Orienteering web page. Their schools newsletter will keep you informed about curriculum developments and courses (see below). British Orienteering Resources

You may also find links on our Introduction to Orienteering page helpful.

The Leicestershire Orienteering Club can provide technical support, (eg equipment loan). Contact the club’s Development Co-ordinator (see below) to discuss your requirements.

Mapping your school

The club can provide permanent course plaques for schools for fixing with screws (for wood and bricks) or cable ties (for fences).

Local Competitions

There are a number of orienteering events aimed specifically at schools at a local, regional and national level.

NW Leicestershire Schools Championship, – April 2026

Working with the North West Leicestershire School Sport Partnership, in 2026 over 600 pupils from 27 primary schools competed in this annual event in the Spring term. This is one of the largest events in Britain.

Safety

See the Safeguarding page for information on the club’s child welfare policies and procedures, codes of conduct, and data privacy.

Contacts and Newsletters

Newsletters

To keep informed about national curriculum developments and courses register for the British Orienteering Schools Newsletter. Register your school.

The Leicestershire Orienteering Club produces a termly newsletter for Leicestershire & Rutland Schools.
Sign up to receive Newsletter.

Contacts