Why did Ordnance Survey decide to distribute free 1:25 000 scale Explorer maps to 11-year-old pupils?
The Free maps for 11-year-olds initiative was originally launched in March 2002 following research that showed that: • There was a very significant shortage of 1:25 000 scale maps in schools, to the extent that teachers would have difficulty delivering the national curriculum for England and Wales and at Key Stage 3, where teaching with these maps is a mandatory requirement. Schools were unlikely to be able to improve map stocks with existing budgets. • Those who had personal access to maps had significantly better developed map skills. • Disadvantaged children often had no access to maps at home. • Maps in the home tended to be owned by adults. Children were often not able to freely access these, even where they were available. In short, the Free maps for 11-year-olds scheme aimed to provide all children, irrespective of home or school circumstances, with a map of their own at the stage in their school career when it was most likely to be of best use. By providing additional maps for
