woodworking skills with a choice of personal projects, customer products or restoration.
Pupils often take their work back to school and home to showcase their craftsmanship.
innov8 Wood focuses on developing basic woodworking skills including a wide range of equipment. Students learn how to make simple joints, cut pieces of wood to size, dovetailing, sanding and varnishing to complete the finish.
We use a wide range of equipment including a table saw, cross-cut mitre saw, band saw, routers, thicknesser, plunge saw and sanders amongst many other tools.
Students start the design process from scratch with projects lasting anything from 2 to 5 weeks depending on complexity. The workshop also integrates maths skills into the activities by teaching measurements and geometric angles.
The sessions are on a 1-1 basis, which gives us an opportunity to mentor young people in a relaxed manner and talk freely about any issues affecting their lives.
What we do
We discuss what the student might like to make, based on interests and experience. They have the opportunity to design the product, make it and choose the finish. Working on a project is designed to build capability and enhance their confidence and self-worth.
Projects have included a bug metropolis, wooden mobile phone case with lock, bird boxes, candelabra, bird feeders and hexagonal herb planters for the kitchen team. We have also worked on commissioned pieces like picnic benches and work desks.
Our woodwork students and mentor have also built all the benches and tables for the other workshops plus bespoke shelving for their offices. The students have worked on the repair and restoration of tables and chairs including the office tables and dining suite.
