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Why study Practical Woodworking?
This course will give you a broad introduction to practical woodworking skills. You will learn the correct use of tools and equipment, and a range of materials, processes and techniques. And, you will be able to read and interpret diagrams, and work safely in a workshop-based setting. You will get to use some creative skills, and plan your activities through to completing a finished product in wood.
The skills you learn in this course will help you move into career areas such as craft, design, engineering and graphics.
What do I need to get in?
The school or college will decide on the entry requirements for the course. You would normally have achieved:
What will I study?
This course will help you develop and enhance your practical, creative and problem solving skills. You will learn about the correct use of a range of tools, equipment and a range of woodworking materials. And, you will learn how to work effectively alongside others in a workshop environment.
You will develop an appreciation of safe working practices in a workshop setting. And, you will look at environmental issues and good practice in recycling in a woodworking context.
The course comprises three areas of study.
Flat-frame Construction
You will:
- learn how to use woodworking tools
- make woodworking joints and assemblies commonly used in flat-frame joinery. Some tasks will involve complex features
- be able to read and use drawings and diagrams depicting both familiar and unfamiliar woodwork tasks.
Carcase Construction
You will:
- make woodworking joints and assemblies commonly used in carcase construction. This will involve some complex features and may include working with manufactured board or with frames and panels
- use working drawings or diagrams, including unfamiliar contexts that require some interpretation on the part of the learner.
Machining and Finishing
You will:
- learn how to use common machine and power tools
- learn a variety of woodworking surface preparations and finishing techniques.
How will I be assessed?
Course Assessment
The course assessment has two components totalling 130 marks:
- Component 1: question paper – worth 60 marks
- Component 2: practical activity – worth 70 marks.
For the practical activity you will be asked to make a finished product from wood working from design drawings. The assignment will be set by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). Your work will be assessed by a visiting SQA assessor.
The question paper will be set and externally marked by SQA.
The grade awarded is based on the total marks achieved across all course assessment components.
The course assessment is graded A-D.
Study Materials
** Please note there are no Past Papers for National 5 Practical Woodworking available.
What can I go on to next?
Further study, training or employment in:
Which jobs are related to this subject?
Where can my parents find out more?
Your school will give your parents an Options or Choices information booklet, which has detailed information on the curriculum and the individual subjects or courses you can study. It will also invite them along to a Parents’ Information Evening.
They can also read the information leaflet(s):
Nationals in a Nutshell - Practical Woodworking (National 5)