17 November 2003

First class maps to teach local pupils a valuable lesson

Youngsters throughout Britain to receive detailed Ordnance Survey maps

Computer games are not the only activity stirring the nation's children this autumn – when it comes to adventure, they are turning to traditional Ordnance Survey maps in a big way.

More than 776,000 youngsters have staked their claim to a free, detailed Explorer map of their local area by encouraging teachers at 7,158 schools to register their interest with the national map-maker.

"This is an absolutely phenomenal response," says Ordnance Survey's Director General Vanessa Lawrence. "Our printing presses have been running flat out to cope with the demand."

She adds: "The vast majority of children who could qualify, mainly 11-year-olds in Year 7 (Primary 7 in Scotland) are set to receive a map that will be theirs to keep and which they can use at home and at school."

It is believed there are close to a million 11-year-olds in Britain, so four out of every five children of that age will receive an Explorer map, each worth almost £7. The biggest take-up has been in Wales, where virtually every qualifying child has been signed up.

The maps, with a total shop value of over £5 million, are part of a major educational initiative to help youngsters experience both the fun and value of geography. Supporting the project, Charles Clarke, the Secretary of State for Education in England, comments: "Geography plays a vital role in helping children to understand the environment in which they are living."

Registration for the scheme has now closed, and already more than 650,000 maps have been printed and sent out.

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Chief Press Officer - Scott Sinclair

Email: scott.sinclair@ordnancesurvey.co.uk

Phone: (+44) 023 8079 2265

Senior Press Officer - Kate Kemp

Email: kate.kemp@ordnancesurvey.co.uk

Phone: (+44) 023 8079 2977

Press Officer - Paula Good

Email: paula.good@ordnancesurvey.co.uk

Phone: (+44) 023 8079 2635

Press Officer - Paul Beauchamp

Email: paul.beauchamp@ordnancesurvey.co.uk

Phone: (+44) 023 8079 2568

Press Office Co-ordinator - Pauline Hand

Email: pauline.hand@ordnancesurvey.co.uk

Phone: (+44) 023 8079 2251

Press Office fax: (+44) 023 8030 5295