National Navigation Award Scheme

Accreditation Information
for Organisations and Centres

  • Assessors should have a minimum qualification of the Summer Mountain Leader Award of the Mountain Leadership Board, BETA, or Instructor Award (Level 1) in the British Orienteering Federation Coaching Award Scheme. The specific grade will depend on the level being assessed. Qualifications issued by other bodies will need to be accredited by the Navigation Award Scheme Co-ordinating Committee.
  • Assessment can take place any time in a progressive navigational training programme, though it would be assumed that a minimum of 12 hours instruction would be required for each level, subject to the judgement of the tutor concerned.
  • Candidates can enter the scheme at any of Levels 1, 2 and 3, depending on experience, though it is anticipated that most will start at the basic bronze level and progress as far as motivation, hard work and ability can take them. Whatever the final Level achieved, assessors should emphasise to candidates the necessity for constant practice and attention to fitness levels so as to maintain the level achieved.
  • Where Organisations or Centres use the NNAS as a bench mark for the navigational competence of their leaders, they must have further mechanisms for assessing relevant leadership qualities.
  • The scheme has the backing of the Royal Institute of Navigation, Central Council of Recreation and the British Orienteering Federation, and is administered by a committee of five, representing Outdoor Education and Countryside Recreation organisations under the chairmanship of the National Secretary.
  • An Annual Conference to review the Schemes progress is open to all registered bodies.
  • Operation of the Scheme
    NNAS Courses are run by registered organisations and Centres to which candidates apply individually or as a group. Application forms for registration ask for instructor qualifications and programmes of which the NNAS forms a part. Accreditation involves submission of applications to the NNAS Committee for approval. This may be based on written evidence of the quality of instruction and structure of programmes or, in some cases, inspection by a suitably qualified NNAS assessor (e.g. where commercial organisations operate their own training programmes for instructors and leaders, and delegation of assessment control is requested.) Following successful accreditation and payment of the initial fee, centres will receive a registration certificate and further information on operating the scheme. Badges and Certificates are issued to organisations on request from the National Office, with a discount for orders in bulk.
  • Registration application forms and lists of accredited centres are available from:
    The Secretary
    National Navigation Award Scheme
    Greenway Park Lane
    Brocton
    Stafford, ST17 OTS
    Tel/Fax: 01785 662915