Step 1 is designed to answer questions you may have before purchasing the data.

MapsDirect for Schools 'Buy Maps' is a service which allows schools to obtain segments of Ordnance Survey Land-Line^® digital map data for use in locally installed software. This data is supplied on CD in a format known as NTF and in 'tiles' of 500m square on the ground for urban areas and 1000m square on the ground in rural areas. Schools require GIS software to use this data and will need to check with the software supplier that it can read NTF.

• Why does a school have to pay to get map data?

  Ordnance Survey, the national mapping agency of Great Britain, continually surveys the real world around us and makes this information available in hardcopy maps and digital map data products. The Ordnance Survey covers its costs by selling these products, its professional services and copyright licences.

  Ordnance Survey already supplies map data to every local authority and schools funded by local authorities are deemed to be Departments of their local authority and may therefore use Ordnance Survey data free of further charge.

  Some local authorities make this data available directly to schools and you are advised to check whether your local authority has such a service, as it may be cheaper than MapsDirect. Local authorities are permitted to make a charge to schools to cover the administrative cost of supplying map data, although some may do so free of charge. Information about supply of map data for schools is available from an Ordnance Survey Liaison Officer (OSLO) in each local authority. To find the name of your local contact phone the Ordnance Survey Customer Helpline on 08456 05 05 05.

  Some Local Authorities are not easily able to supply map data to their schools, or to supply data of other parts of the country. Independent schools have no method of obtaining large scale digital map data. MapsDirect for Schools 'Buy Maps' service has been set up to provide an alternative supply service so that all schools may obtain Ordnance Survey Data.

  In either case if you choose to use the MapsDirect for Schools 'Buy Maps' service, you are not paying for the data. You are paying for a service which will extract the data you require from a national archive and send this to you on CD.

• What is Land-Line map data?

  Ordnance Survey Land-Line® digital map data originates from the capturing onto computer of the paper maps that were historically produced by Ordnance Survey. Land-Line is comprehensive and as up-to-date as the most recent surveys undertaken by Ordnance Survey. Using points, lines and annotation, it depicts, man-made and natural features ranging from houses, factories, roads and rivers to marshland and administrative boundaries.

  Land-Line® is supplied on CD is Neutral Transfer Format (NTF). A GIS system, which supports this format, is needed. To find out more about currently available GIS software visit http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/education/schools/digitaldata/software.html

  The original paper maps were produced in a variety of scales; 1:1250 scale in urban areas; 1:2500 scale in rural areas; and 1:10000 scale for remote areas such as mountains and moorland. When ordering the data it is necessary to identify the 'map tiles' for the required area. Step 2 below will help you do this.

• How much does Land-Line data cost?

  You must pay for a limited licence to use the tiles that you order from MapsDirect for Schools. Single map tiles can be ordered at £8 each. But we can offer a discount if you buy quantities of tiles.

  Less than 5 tiles	£8.00 each
  5 tiles or more	£7.00 each
  10 tiles or more	£6.00 each
  25 tiles or more	£5.00 each

• How is the discount calculated on map tiles?

  The discount on maps is calculated so that tiles become cheaper as the number of tiles in a purchase goes up. So the price starts at £8 a tile up to four tiles. From five to nine tiles the price reduces to £7 per tile; £6 from 10 to 24; and for twenty-five tiles and above the price reduces to only £5!

  So the more you buy, the less you pay for each tile.

• Why is there a limit on the number of tiles a school can hold?

  Ordnance Survey has to limit the number of tiles a school can hold to prevent tiles getting into general circulation and so reduce the value of its investment in surveying and creating the tiles. We think that the current limit of 100 tiles is enough for almost any school doing geographical work in their local area and on field trips. If a school finds that it is at the limit but needs tiles not in its collection you can select tiles for deletion. You must then securely delete all copies of those tiles, including backup copies. Then send us a letter giving the names of the tiles deleted. A representative should sign this to certify that the tiles have been deleted and post it to:

  MapsDirect for Schools
  Millennium House
  65 Walton Street
  Aylesbury
  Buckinghamshire
  HP21 7QG
  Fax: 01296 745 585
  

  We will remove these tiles from your count as soon as we receive the signed form.

• How can I order Ordnance Survey Tiles?

  This service is only available to individual schools. You must enter a valid school address below and the ordered data will only be delivered to this address.

Order form