Updated May 2025 - new Effort and Behaviour ratings included
Content covered:
S3 Practical Wood and Metal Working is a workshop- based course that promotes safe working practices and develops knowledge and understanding of a range of tools, equipment and materials.
Classes complete a number of practical projects in both wood and metal.
To allow for the management of resources pupils in different classes may complete projects at different times in the year.
Models in S3 Practical Wood and Metal include:
Kitchen Clock
Celtic knot
High Back chair
MDF stool
Casting Project
Engineers Square
Please also see image carousel at bottom of page which contains a detailed Learner Journey diagram.
The following benchmarks were looked at when grading your child’s work:
Select tools and equipment to mark-out, cut, shape, form and finish models independently
Identifies potential health and safety risks in the manufacture of models and plan the safe working practices required
Describe the different categories of materials
Describes the properties of materials
Recognises sustainability issues when selecting materials
Please also see image carousel at bottom of page which contains a detailed assessment grid.
The majority of work covered in S3 Practical Woodworking/Metalworking is based around CfE Level 4 Outcomes and Benchmarks. The majority of pupils at this stage of S3 are working at Fourth C or above. This does not mean that pupils performing below this level are not making progress – all pupils are making progress, but some require more support with the content.
Please also see image carousel at bottom of page which contains a detailed assessment grid.
Working Level and Working Grade descriptions for S3 Practical Wood and Metal Working:
Fourth A: A pupil achieving this level- will be making excellent progress at CfE Level 4, is achieving well against all the outcomes covered. They will be demonstrating these key skills in the projects that they have so far completed. There will be evidence that they have taken the project further than was required.
Fourth B: A pupil achieving this level- will be making good progress at CfE Level 4, is achieving well against most the outcomes covered. They will be demonstrating these key skills in the projects that they have so far completed.
Fourth C: A pupil achieving this level- will be making reasonable progress at CfE Level 4, is achieving well against some the outcomes covered while finding others challenging. They will be demonstrating these key skills in the projects that they have so far completed.
For pupils working at Fourth A-C, National 5 Practical Woodworking and National 5 Practical Metalworking as one of the 6 main subjects in S4 would be recommended.
Fourth D: A pupil achieving this level- will be making some progress at CfE Level 4, is achieving against a few of the outcomes covered while finding others challenging. They will be demonstrating these key skills in the projects that they have so far completed.
For pupils working at Fourth D, National 5 Practical Woodworking and National 5 Practical Metalworking as one of the 6 main subjects in S4 would be possible.
Third A to D: A pupil achieving these levels- will be making some progress at CfE Level 3, is achieving against a few of the outcomes covered while finding most challenging. They will be demonstrating these key skills in the projects that they have so far completed.
For pupils working at Third Level, National 4 Practical Woodworking and National 5 Practical Metalworking as one of the 6 main subjects in S4 would be recommended.
Second A to D: A pupil achieving these levels- will be making some progress at CfE Level 2, is achieving against a one or two of the outcomes covered while finding most challenging. They will be demonstrating these key skills in the projects that they have so far completed.