A3023 - Woodwork: practical DIY skills for the home (beginners)

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Start Date: 23/09/2026      End Date: 25/11/2026        Start Time: 18:00      End Time: 20:30        Hours per Week: 2.50      No of Weeks: 9
Fees:      £180.00 (tuition)     £316.00 (overseas)     £75.00 (concessionary)
Tutor: Sylvia Apperley        No of Places: FULL - click to check
Shadwell Centre

Course Overview

Course Overview
Want to build, fix or improve simple wooden items at home?
This beginner friendly woodwork course is perfect for anyone who wants practical DIY skills for everyday projects. In a safe and supportive workshop, you’ll learn how to use basic hand tools, measure and cut timber, and make simple joints. With guidance from the tutor, you’ll work on a small project while building the confidence to try straightforward woodwork jobs at home.
By the end of the course, you could be making items such as a small shelf, wooden box, plant stand, picture frame, or basic storage unit—skills you can transfer to home DIY tasks like repairs, up-cycling, and light improvements.

What will you learn and be able to do?

What will you learn and be able to do?
* Work safely in a woodwork workshop, demonstrating an understanding of basic health and safety procedures and safe working practices.
* Use basic hand tools with confidence, including measuring, marking, cutting, and assembling timber for simple DIY projects.
* Measure and adjust timber accurately, using basic maths skills needed for home woodwork tasks.
* Make and use at least two simple wood joints suitable for beginner‑level DIY projects.
* Choose appropriate types of wood for simple home projects such as shelves, boxes, or small storage items.
* Plan and complete a small practical woodwork project, developing the confidence to carry out similar DIY tasks at home.
* Use basic woodworking terminology when following instructions and discussing materials, tools, and techniques.
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Entry requirements

Entry requirements
An enthusiasm and willingness to work with wood.
Prosp User 8

Equipment required

Equipment required
Some tools and some practice wood will be included in the course. However, you will have to buy and get materials for your own project from elsewhere. You will need to bring a notebook and a pencil. You may need to have internet access and download Zoom to communicate with your tutor and have access to online videos from your tutor.
Prosp User 9

How will you know you are making progress?

How will you know you are making progress?
You will have an ‘Individual Learning Plan’ where the course learning outcomes are shown and where you can set individual learning goals and monitor your own progress against these.

You will need to evaluate your own progress and manage your time.

Your tutor will give ongoing feedback and will keep you informed of your progress.
Prosp User 12
There is no exam or formal assessment at the end of the course, but your tutor will give you regular feedback on your progress. You will also have an Individual Learning Plan, which you will use to keep track of your progress.

At the beginning of the course an initial assessment takes place to identify your level of experience knowledge or current skills.

You will complete a self-assessment at the beginning, middle and end of the course and you will participate in regular self-assessment.

Your tutor will let you know how you are getting on throughout the course, to help you work to your full potential.

At the end of the course you will receive written feedback.
Prosp User 11

Progress opportunities - your next steps

Progress opportunities - your next steps
The course can be repeated to develop a deeper or better understanding of woodwork, or you can progress to more advanced woodwork courses elsewhere.

You may wish to enrol on other courses held at Idea Store Learning. Please see a course guide for further information or speak with your tutor.

Your tutor will support you in researching these and other courses outside of Idea Store Learning.
Prosp User 10

Other info

Other info
If you are a beginner you will not be allowed to use any power tool unsupervised. Learners will need to buy the wood for their projects, which is not included in the cost of materials.

To maximise your chances of benefiting from the course fully we expect you to attend all scheduled sessions and that you do so punctually and are ready to start learning at the start of the class.
Prosp User 13

Extra Support

Extra Support
If you have declared a learning difficulty, disability or support need whilst enrolling and you require support/assistance in class or to complete your course, please discuss your needs with your tutor at the first lesson.

If you intend to take an examination and feel you have an additional learning need or special requirements, you must declare them to your tutor within the first 2 weeks of your course.

If you are studying in an online group, then you can arrange a one-to-one online discussion with your tutor, after the session, or by email.

Where we aim to make reasonable adjustments to support our learners, please note we are unable to provide any type of in class or in person support if your course takes place online.
Prosp User 14