A collaboration between Ordnance Survey and The University of Edinburgh the Free Access Scheme provides Digimap for Schools free of charge for schools located in the most deprived areas of Great Britain. Ordnance Survey is supporting the scheme financially, enabling eligible schools to have 12 months’ free access to Digimap for Schools to enhance their learning and teaching.
The Free Access Scheme aims to ensure that schools located in the most deprived areas of Great Britain are able to deliver excellence in teaching with Ordnance Survey maps by providing free access to Digimap for Schools. Ordnance Survey has supported a free access scheme since 2019. The scheme has been reviewed, revised and extended in both 2022 and 2026, updating eligibility criteria to ensure schools across Great Britain can benefit. Previously the eligibility criteria for the scheme were focused on Ofsted ratings which restricted access to schools in England. The 2026 revision to the scheme determines eligibility based on location and therefore includes schools in England, Wales and Scotland. Read Ordnance Survey’s press release
Why are we doing this?
Research has highlighted that schools in the most deprived areas of Great Britain face additional budgeting challenges which means that they are not able to prioritise paying for a licence to access Digimap for Schools. This initiative is aimed at addressing this shortfall by removing the need for payment. Ordnance Survey have prepaid for around 1700 eligible schools to have free access to the service for a 12 month period.
Eligible schools will benefit from free use of Digimap for Schools together with priority opportunities for teacher training, a raft of ready-made learning resources, training videos, help materials and a dedicated Digimap for Schools helpdesk. Participating schools are required to ensure that their students are informed about the availability of Digimap for Schools and provided with direct password access to it.
One login, accessible from anywhere on any supported device. Unlimited use at school and home for students, teachers and parents.
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