Free Access Scheme FAQs
Which schools are eligible for the Free Access Scheme for schools in deprived areas?
The Free Access Scheme is open to any school located within the most deprived areas of England, Scotland or Wales according to the relevant Indices of Multiple Deprivation. To find out if your school is eligible, please enter your school postcode into the
Digimap for Schools subscription portal
You can apply at any time. Eligible schools with a current live subscription to Digimap for Schools will be able to sign up for the free scheme at the end of their current subscription period. The subscription does not renew automatically. You will need to request your next subscription through the
Digimap for Schools subscription portal .
Eligible schools with a current live subscription to Digimap for Schools will be able to sign up for the free scheme at the end of their current subscription. We do not issue refunds. You will need to request your next subscription through the
Digimap for Schools subscription portal .
In order to apply, please enter your school postcode into the
Digimap for Schools subscription portal . If your school is eligible for the Free Access Scheme you will see the option to take the free service clearly marked: Digimap for Schools (Free Access Scheme). If your school is not eligible for the Free Access Scheme, you will be able to purchase a subscription at the rate given. Rates vary between primary and secondary schools.
After the initial 12-month free period you will need to pay for a subscription to continue to access the service. Please enter your school postcode into the
Digimap for Schools subscription portal to see your subscription renewal price.
There is no automatic renewal process and no need to cancel. If you wish to continue using Digimap for Schools please enter your school postcode into the
Digimap for Schools subscription portal to see your subscription renewal price. If you no longer wish to continue using the service, you don't need to do anything.
Access is free for ALL teachers and students at your school for teaching and learning. Digimap for Schools replaces the need for schools to provide students with
Ordnance Survey paper maps by providing a complete online library of
Ordnance Survey maps of Great Britain. Digimap for Schools also provides historical maps and aerial photography as well as global maps not available directly from Ordnance Survey. Please provide immediate access to the school username and password so everyone can find the maps they need without having to ask a specific teacher. All outputs from the service, whether paper or digital are protected by watermarking and/or the copyright acknowledgements. You may access the service remotely, print and save unlimited maps.
Our experience shows that schools who restrict access to Digimap for Schools get much less benefit for their students.
EDINA remotely monitor use of the service and contact you if little or no use is being made of the service in your school, which would indicate that the log-in details are not adequately publicised. We reserve the right to withdraw free access to Digimap for Schools if a school is not making any use of it.
Yes. Training is free and is usually delivered as a twilight session in a local host school or online via Teams. A short training event will increase your confidence in working with digital mapping and we will let you know about availability in your area. If you want to be a host venue please email
Darren.Bailey@os.uk to volunteer your school. In the meantime there are many ‘step by step’ teaching resources and videos available.
We have only limited funds with which to offer free support and therefore are only able to focus on schools in the lowest 8% of deprived areas according to the Indices of Multiple Deprivation and the Scottish Indices of Multiple Deprivation.
My school is in Scotland or Wales, are we eligible?
Yes, if your school is located in one of the lowest 8% of deprived areas according to the Indices of Multiple Deprivation and the Scottish Indices of Multiple Deprivation. Previous versions of the scheme have only been open to schools in England. From 2026 Scottish and Welsh schools are also eligible.
We are a special school, are we eligible?
Most special schools are not eligible for the Free Access Scheme. Please contact us if you believe you should be eligible. You can enter your school postcode into the
Digimap for Schools subscription portal to check if you are already eligible or not.
This scheme is supported by
Ordnance Survey. The full terms and conditions of Digimap for Schools may be read at
digimapforschools.edina.ac.uk.
