Practical Woodworking: N4/N5

Entry Requirements

Completion of the school based S3 Practical Woodworking course is preferable.

Course Content:

The course provides opportunities for learners to gain a range of practical woodworking skills and use a variety of tools, equipment and materials. It allows them to plan activities through the completion of a finished product in wood. Participants will develop and enhance psychomotor skills, practical creativity, practical problem solving skills, an appreciation of safe working practices in a workshop environment, and an understanding of sustainability issues in a practical woodworking context.

Course Description

The structure of this course allows learners to cover fundamental woodwork skills in a progressive fashion. An appreciation of safe working practices will be an integral part of the learning experience. The course comprises of three units;

  1. Flat-frame Construction – Learners will develop skills in the use of woodworking tools and in making woodworking joints and assemblies commonly used in flat-frame joinery. Pupils will also learn to read and use drawings and diagrams depicting woodwork tasks.
  2. Carcase Construction – Tasks in this unit will include the use of manufactured board or frames and panels in the construction of a carcase such as the body of a clock or cabinet.
  3. Machining and Finishing – Learners will develop skills in using common power tools such as drills, sanders and woodwork lathes. Development of skills in a variety of woodworking surface preparation and finishing techniques will also be undertaken.

Assessment:

  • National 4 – assessment is dealt with by 3 mandatory units: 1. Flat-frame construction, 2. Carcase construction, 3. Machining and finishing as well as an Added Value Unit. All work is internally marked but is externally verified by the SQA.
  • National 5 – The coursework assignment set by the SQA and worth 70 marks will be undertaken during the course. External assessments:- This will consist of a single final examination worth 60 marks but scaled to 30 marks.

Progression Pathway: