Compass Points - Geography in Year 3

Date: 28th Sep 2026 @ 3:38pm

Geography in Year 3

What are the 8 points of a compass?

We have kicked off this half term by learning about the 8 points of a compass.

A compass is a device that indicates direction. It is one of the most important instruments in Geography.

We know the Cardinal points are North, East, South and West.

The Intercardinal points are North-West, South-West, North-East and South-East.

We studied an Ordinance Survey map of the UK, located Manchester and mapped out cities which were located along the 8 main points of the compass.

Vocabulary Alert: Cardinal means important or main.

We will also be using an Atlas (a book of maps), Google Earth, Digi-maps and a Globe to locate the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK).

We have also looked at France and its bordering countries during our Modern Foreign Languages lesson.

The children recalled:

“I used a map and located different cities in the UK.”

“We learned different words for ‘cardinal’.”

“I used a compass outside with my partner to find the Cardinal Point of East where the sun comes up.”

“I know the 8 points of a compass.”

“I know how to use a compass if I ever get lost.”

“Chatham is a town which is SE of Manchester.”

“Middlesbrough is in the NE of England and is home to the greatest football team on the planet.”

“Human features are built and made by people such as houses, schools, roads, motorways, cities and factories.”

“Physical features are natural like forest, sea, rivers, mountains and cliffs.”

Next, we will be learning about physical and human features of a location and discovering what these might look like on different kinds of maps.

Why not describe your journey to school creating your own colourful map.