Practical Woodwork

PWW

The National 5 Practical Woodworking course provides a broad introduction to practical woodworking. It is largely workshop-based, but has a written component covering theory, safety and woodworking techniques.

The course has three areas of study:

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.

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.

Machining and finishing

Pupils 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.

Assessment

There are two assessment that require specific skills, knowledge and understanding to succeed.

The question paper is worth 30% the course assessment. This requires sound literacy and numeracy skills in order to read and respond to a range of questions covering the measuring, marking out and shaping a range of woods and manmade boards.

The practical activity worth 70% of the course assessment. This requires patience, resilience and skills to produce a finished piece of craftwork, to a given standard and specification. The craftwork has to be manufactured with a high level of independence to be awarded a good grade for this component.