Practical Woodworking

The National 5 Practical Woodworking course provides opportunities for pupils to gain a range of theoretical and practical woodworking skills relating to tools, equipment, processes and materials. They also develop skills in reading and interpreting working drawings and related documents as well as an understanding of health and safety. The course is practical, exploratory and experiential in nature. It engages candidates with technologies, allowing them to consider the impact that practical technologies have on our environment and society. Through this, they develop skills, knowledge and understanding of: 

• woodworking techniques 

• measuring and marking out timber sections and sheet materials 

• safe working practices in workshop environments 

• practical creativity and problem-solving skills 

• sustainability issues in a practical woodworking context

Pupils will work through 3 tasks which will develop the knowledge and skills required to successfully pass 3 mandatory units enabling them to start the assignment. The projects are:

1. Flat-frame construction: Pupils develop skills, knowledge and understanding in the use of woodworking tools and in making woodworking joints and assemblies commonly used in flat-frame joinery, involving complex features. Pupils will develop their ability to read and use drawings and diagrams depicting both familiar and unfamiliar woodwork tasks

2. Carcase construction: Pupils develop skills, knowledge and understanding in the use of woodworking tools and in making woodworking joints and assemblies commonly used in carcase construction, involving complex features. This may include working with manufactured board or with frames and panels. Pupils will use working drawings or diagrams in both familiar and unfamiliar contexts that require some interpretation on their part.

3. Machining and finishing: Candidates develop skills, knowledge and understanding in using machine and power tools. Candidates also develop skills in a variety of woodworking surface preparations and finishing techniques

Faculty Principal Teacher

Mrs E Nicol