National 4/5 Practical Metalworking

What skills will students develop?
• A range of metalworking hand tool skills on tasks with some complex features
• The ability to use a range of metalworking tools, equipment and materials
• Reading and interpreting drawings and diagrams in familiar and unfamiliar contexts
• Skills in measuring and marking out metal sections and sheet materials
• Cutting and forming skills
• Creativity with familiar metalworking tasks with some complex features
• A problem-solving approach to metalworking tasks
• Knowledge and understanding of safe working practices in a workshop
• Knowledge of the properties and uses of a range of common metals and metalworking materials
• Knowledge and understanding of sustainability issues in a practical metalworking context
What will students experience throughout the course?
• Active and independent learning through self and peer evaluations, group feedback, reflecting on learning, making independent decisions
• A blend of classroom approaches including practical and experiential learning in real-life contexts; whole class learning; team working; investigative work
• Collaborative learning: working in pairs, small groups or larger groups; working with partners in other Technologies subjects, Maths, Sciences
• Space for personalisation and choice: learners can choose how they develop their Practical Activity
• Applying learning
• Embedding literacy and numeracy skills: interpreting drawings/diagrams, measuring, marking out, analysing data, designing.
Assessment
National 4
To gain National 4, learners must pass all Units including the Added Value Unit. These are assessed as pass or fail by the school/centre (following SQA external quality assurance to meet national standards). Unit assessment (or ‘evidence of learning’) could be presented in a variety of ways such as completed tasks, records of the task development (blogs, diaries). A portfolio of work (including a learner checklist) may be prepared
The Added Value Unit (Practical Activity) will require learners to make a finished product in metal, completing a record of progress. This will be marked by the centre in accordance with SQA guidelines and will be graded Pass or Fail.
National 5
To gain National 5, learners must pass all Units and the Course Assessment. These units are assessed as pass or fail by the school/centre (following SQA external quality assurance to meet national standards). Unit assessment (or ‘evidence of learning’) could be presented in a variety of ways such as completed tasks, records of the task development (blogs, diaries). A portfolio of work (including a learner checklist) may be prepared
The Course Assessment consists of a more challenging Practical Activity which requires learners to make a finished product in metal, completing a record of progress. This is assessed by the centre, in accordance with SQA guidance, and is graded A to D.
Careers
Armed Forces, Carpenter or Joiner, Electrician, Plumber. Boat/Ship Builder, Ceiling Fixer, Jewellery Designer, Sheet Metal Worker, Bricklayer, CNC Operator, Mechanic, Shop fitter, Cabinet Maker, Construction Plant Operative, Panel Beater, Welder, Mechanical Engineer, Tool Maker, Fitter Turner,