Lesson 5 - Timed Orienteering Course
Strategic Navigation and Collaborative Orienteering
•Year 5
•Outdoor Adventurous Activities
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
Sign up free to access 3 complete units per month, unlimited activity library, and your personal locker.
What's included
- Complete activity instructions & timing
- Teaching tips & differentiation strategies
- Assessment guidance & success criteria
- Downloadable lessons & units
How can effective teamwork and strategic planning help us succeed in orienteering challenges?
Learning Objectives
- To successfully orientate a map and locate points in a strategic sequence
- To develop time management skills whilst navigating under pressure
- To demonstrate effective teamwork and communication during orienteering challenges
Key Outcomes
- Students will orientate maps correctly and navigate efficiently between control points
- Students will plan strategic routes and manage time effectively during timed challenges
- Students will work cooperatively in pairs, sharing responsibilities and supporting each other
Equipment & Resources Required
Ensure maps are current and show all control point locations clearly
Alternative: Laminated photocopies of detailed area maps
Test all stopwatches work and reset to zero before lesson
Alternative: Mobile phones with timer function, shared class stopwatch
Pre-printed with control point numbers and space for times
Alternative: Small notebooks or clipboards with paper
Place securely at predetermined locations before lesson starts
Alternative: Coloured cones, laminated signs, or natural features
Check all compasses are working and pointing north correctly
Alternative: Compass apps on devices, shared class compasses
Ensure writing implements work in outdoor conditions
Alternative: Pens or markers suitable for outdoor use
Test signal can be heard across entire course area
Alternative: Air horn, voice commands, mobile phone alarm
Large enough for all pairs to see their scores and times
Alternative: Flipchart paper, whiteboard, or clipboard
Key Vocabulary
To align the map so it matches the real landscape around you
A specific location marked on the map that orienteers must find
Deciding the best path to take between control points
Using available time efficiently to achieve the best result
Finding your way from one place to another using a map and compass
A plan of action designed to achieve a particular goal
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic map reading skills and symbol recognition
- Understanding of compass directions (N, S, E, W)
- Experience following simple orienteering routes
- Knowledge of basic orienteering safety procedures
Current Skills
- Advanced map orientation techniques
- Strategic route planning under time pressure
- Effective partnership communication during navigation
- Time management and decision-making skills
Next Steps
- Complex multi-stage orienteering courses
- Night orienteering with limited visibility
- Competitive orienteering with scoring systems
- Leadership roles in guiding orienteering groups
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Map orientation is the foundation skill - check it constantly throughout navigation
- Effective partnerships share responsibilities and communicate clearly about decisions
- Strategic route planning considers both distance and difficulty of terrain
- Time management requires regular checking and conservative estimates for safety
- Safety boundaries must never be crossed regardless of competition pressure
- Learning from mistakes is as valuable as achieving high scores
- Equipment care shows respect for shared resources and prepares tools for others
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking they can visit all control points in the time allowed - emphasise strategic selection
- Believing that running everywhere is faster than careful navigation - demonstrate efficiency of good planning
- Assuming one partner should do all the navigation - emphasise shared responsibility and communication
- Thinking compass points the way to go - clarify it shows direction for map orientation
- Believing penalties don't matter if you find more points - demonstrate mathematics of scoring system
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter time segments with regular check-ins, clear physical boundaries, movement breaks built into planning time
dyspraxia
- Simplified maps with fewer details, extra practice time with equipment, partner support for organisation
autism spectrum
- Clear, predictable routines, visual schedule of lesson structure, quiet zones available for breaks
visual impairment
- Use high-contrast maps with large symbols, provide verbal descriptions of terrain, buddy system with sighted partner
hearing impairment
- Visual time signals using flags or lights, written instruction cards, clear line-of-sight communication
physical disability
- Adapted course with wheelchair-accessible routes, modified distances, alternative transport if needed
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Time calculations for course completion, distance estimation using map scales, angles and bearings for navigation, data analysis of results
Science
Magnetic forces in compass function, weather patterns affecting outdoor activities, forces and motion in human movement
Geography
Map reading skills, understanding of scale and symbols, cardinal directions and compass bearings, landscape features and terrain
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, leadership skills, resilience when facing challenges, trust and communication in partnerships
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Central location with clear sight lines across entire course area for safety monitoring
Observation Focus
Monitor map orientation accuracy, partnership communication, time management, and adherence to safety boundaries
Intervention Points
Step in if students appear lost, are taking safety risks, or if partnerships are breaking down
Demonstration Notes
Use clear, visible gestures for map orientation, point out obvious landmarks, model positive partnership communication
Verbal Cues
- •'Orient your map first!'
- •'Talk to your partner!'
- •'Check your time!'
- •'Stay within boundaries!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large outdoor area minimum 100m x 100m with varied terrain, clear of traffic
Surface Check
Check ground conditions for holes, debris, or hazardous materials before lesson
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Ensure all compasses are functioning correctly and securely attached
- •Check maps are current and clearly marked with safe boundaries
- •Verify stopwatches are working and easily operated by students
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Students getting lost outside designated course area
- •Trips and falls on uneven outdoor terrain
- •Weather-related risks like sudden rain or extreme temperatures
- •Students becoming separated from partners
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear course boundaries established and explained before start
- •Regular time checks and position monitoring by teacher
- •Emergency whistle signals taught and practiced
- •Weather contingency plans prepared and communicated
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position teacher centrally for maximum visibility of course area
- •Regular sweeps to monitor all pairs' progress and safety
- •Clear communication system for emergencies or problems
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately on whistle signal, account for all students, appropriate first aid for injuries, clear evacuation routes established