Structure

This data specification works within the existing structure of OS MasterMap as represented in the Unified Modelling Language (UML) class diagram below:

Layers

A layer is a set of related geospatial data which is then divided into one or more themes (much like OS MasterMap Topography Layer). These themes can be used together to form an end-user application.

Themes

Within the Sites Layer, features belong to only one theme. A theme is a logical collection of features that have been grouped according to their classification or relationships. The primary purpose of themes is to enable easier selection and interrogation of features by the user. Themes do not form part of the classification of a feature and do not affect the feature life cycle rules. The Sites Layer is currently composed of seven themes which are defined fully on the Theme definitions pages.

Features

Features are digital representations of real-world concepts such as a building, road or barrier. The life cycle of a feature, its creation, modification and deletion are managed to most appropriately reflect the life cycle of the abstracted real-world concept that they depict.

Attributes

An attribute is any item of information contained within an OS MasterMap feature. The TOID and the geometry of the feature are both attributes.

This theme includes a very broad group of sites with a common high-level primary function of providing education (either state-funded or fee-paying).

The table above shows how the main function of a site has been mapped across to the equivalent functional site attribution, for example, a first school will be attributed as ‘primary education’.

Where a school is described with one or more functions and it is not possible to ascertain which buildings relate to which function, the entire site will be captured once for each function present. There will also be instances where there are several functions associated to a single site.

In some cases, it may be possible to determine which buildings are related to the different functional sites, but not possible to divide the playing fields; as a result, the playing fields will be captured for each function and will overlap.

The following features are included in the captured extent:

• All teaching and assembly buildings supporting education functions.

• Ancillary buildings and structures directly enabling the site to operate (for example, boiler house, kitchens and waste disposal areas).

• Site access roads and paths.

• Recreational areas associated with the site (for example, playgrounds and playing fields).

• Areas of man-made and natural surface totally surrounded by included areas.

• For schools: areas of man-made and natural surface abutting included areas along a non-obstructing edge.

The following features are not included in the captured extent:

• Public roads and pavements.

• Pedestrian through-routes.

• Separately addressed properties as indicated by house numbers.

Universities or higher education sites that have extensive and regionally disparate sites will be associated together using the stakeholder attribute, to specify a relationship between such sites that come under the control of a single stakeholder. This attribute is currently not populated but will be implemented in subsequent releases of the product.

Sites associated with professional bodies or work places will not be captured, for example, ‘Dance School’ or ‘Performing Arts School’.

This theme includes sites that focus on the provision of secondary medical care services.

All medical care sites will be captured as indicated below unless they fall out of scope; for example, a private property labelled as ‘The Blue Hospital’.

The following features are included in the captured extent:

• Main buildings.

• Site-specific service buildings and structures.

• Access roads and paths.

• Site-specific car parks.

• Areas of man-made and natural surface surrounded by included areas.

The following features are not included in the captured extent:

• Buildings not specifically related to the operation of the site (for example, children’s nursery).

• Public through-roads and their pavements; and public pedestrian through-routes.

This theme includes sites associated with movement of passengers and goods by air, or where aircraft take off and land.

All active air transport features (including military sites) will be captured as indicated below unless they fall out of scope (for example, a private property) or are described as disused sites.

The following features are included in the captured extent:

• Buildings for the handling of air passengers and goods.

• Buildings for the storage and maintenance of aircraft.

• Aircraft landing and taxiing surfaces (man-made or natural).

• Site access roads and paths.

• Structures associated with the operation of the site.

• Car parks for air passengers.

• Areas of man-made and natural surface totally surrounded by included areas.

• Areas of man-made and natural surface abutting included areas along a non-obstructing edge.

The following features are not included in the captured extent:

• Aircraft-related services outside of perimeter fence (for example, warehouses or catering).

• Public through-roads and pavements.

• Hotels adjacent to site and their car parks.