Standard Grade Practical Craft Skills

RATIONALE

Practical creativity exemplifies mankind’s need to be able to control and utilise tools and materials. The sense of achievement that is experienced on the successful completion of a practical project is immense, and the value of this achievement to the development of the personal and social aspects of a candidate’s education cannot be overstated. Practical creativity fosters qualities of self-esteem, technological confidence, self-discipline and maturity, all of which are essential attributes for pupils in post-16 education.

This course will contribute to the knowledge, understanding and practical experience of candidates whose aspirations and abilities are towards practical work, or who are considering a career in an industry which involves practical activity in any capacity. They may wish to progress to education or training in practical areas through studies and practice focused on practical aspects of such work.

The course is of a practical nature, workshop-based and provides many skills which are appropriate to a wide range of applications. The course will develop skills in marking-out, cutting, shaping and finishing materials, as well as adjusting and maintaining a range of hand tools. Apart from giving an insight into industrial practice and standards, such studies help with the development of self-confidence, manual dexterity and control, perseverance, maturity and spatial awareness.

The aims of the course are to:

·   fosters practical skills in the creation of artefacts

·   develop knowledge, understanding and skills of general aspects of practical woodworking activity

·   encourage independence and the ability to make choices

·   highlight the importance of safety and encourages responsible attitudes in the workshop environment

·   contributes to personal development, in particular to practical capability

COURSE CONTENT

The course consists of three mandatory units, and an assessment project lasting approximately 20-30 hours 

Bench Skills 1 – Wood Flat-Frame Construction (Int 2)

Pupils will learn to use and maintain a range of common hand tools and be involved in setting out and making a range of basic joints, which are commonly used in the production of flat-frame joinery fabrications and structures.

The Pupils will use the skills and knowledge gained from the production of joints to manufacture a framed product from a working drawing.

Bench Skills 2 – Wood Carcase Construction (Int 2)

The pupils will learn how to set out and make a range of basic joints that could be used in a wide range of carcase joinery construction. 

The basic joints used in flat-frame construction should form the basis for progression to those joint systems required for carcase construction. In practice, some carcases may consist of manufactured board, or may be framed and panelled.

Machining and Finishing – Wood (Int 2)

Candidates will learn to set up and use a range of common machine and power tools in accordance with safe working practice.

Candidates will manufacture a machined component from a working drawing and will learn how to use various finishing techniques. This will include a range of surface preparations as listed in the table below.