Who is this course for? 

This course is a broad-based qualification, suitable for learners with an interest in practical technologies. It is largely learner-centred, includes practical and experiential learning opportunities and is suitable for those wanting to progress onto further levels of study or a related career. 

 

Purpose and aims

National 4&5 Practical Woodworking provides opportunities for candidates 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.

 

Course content 

This course develops skills in three main areas. Each area provides opportunities for candidates to understand safe working practices, sustainability issues, and good practice in recycling within a workshop environment. Each area of study covers a different set of woodworking skills. All areas include skills and associated knowledge in measuring, marking out, cutting and jointing techniques. The areas of study are: Flat-frame construction Candidates 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. Candidates develop their ability to read and use drawings and diagrams depicting both familiar and unfamiliar woodwork tasks. Carcase construction Candidates 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. Candidates use working drawings or diagrams in both familiar and unfamiliar contexts that require some interpretation on their part. 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. Skills, knowledge and understanding 

 

Skills, knowledge and understanding for the course 

The following provides a broad overview of the subject skills, knowledge and understanding developed in the course:  

• using a range of woodworking tools, equipment and materials safely and correctly for woodworking tasks with some complex features  
• adjusting tools where necessary, following safe practices  
• reading and interpreting drawings and diagrams in familiar and some unfamiliar contexts  measuring and marking out timber sections and sheet materials in preparation for cutting and shaping tasks with some complex features  
• practical creativity in the context of simple and familiar woodworking tasks with some complex features 
• following, with autonomy, given stages of a practical problem-solving approach to woodworking tasks  
• applying knowledge and understanding of safe working practices in a workshop environment  
• knowledge and understanding of the properties and uses of a range of woodworking materials  
• knowledge and understanding of sustainability issues in a practical woodworking context