All Courses at Newstead Wood School
Courses at NWS are divided into four categories;
Short form - These courses are perfect for beginners and range in duration from 1 to 3 days.
Mid form - Week/s long courses. Focusing on the learning of fundamental skills and techniques for Fine Woodworking.
Long form - Range in duration from 4 to 8 weeks. These semester long courses are for the dedicated woodworker, an opportunity to hone skills and explore ideas. Register your interest below.
Carpentry - 5 day Traditional Timber Framing course. More carpentry courses coming soon.
Unsure on where to start? Don’t worry. Make contact to discuss.
Short form
Fun and simple, making these boxes, introduces students to the bandsaw and hand tools.
1 Day
$250
Next Courses;
April 26th, 2026
September 11th, 2026
Often referred to as “Krenov” Planes, named after their champion James Krenov, these simple wooden planes are a pleasure to both make and use. A special opportunity to learn from two masters of their craft, John and David studied at The College of The Redwoods in 1984 under James Krenov, and wooden planes have been an integral part of their practice ever since.
John Shaw
David Fleming
The Krenov School
3 Days
$480.00
Next Courses;
April 9th - 11th, 2026 - with John Shaw and David Fleming
September 2nd - 4th, 2026 - with Lachlan Park
An enjoyable and accessible way to begin your woodworking, this 3 day course begins with splitting billets from a log. These billets are then shaped and refined using a draw knife and shaving horse before being fitted to a solid wood seat.
3 Days
$550
Next Courses; -
March 25th - 27th, 2026
October 7th - 9th, 2026
A common and versatile power tool, the router has its place in the world of fine woodworking. Used both as a hand-held device and upside down as a router table, this course teaches students safe and accurate router operations, including slot cutting and copy routing.
3 Days
$600
Next Course - TBA
Mid form
A Cabinet Maker’s Notebook, by James Krenov was published in 1976 and gave solace to woodworkers around the world. These inspiring reflections from a solitary woodworker continue to inspire craftspeople to this day.
Now its your turn. Join David and John at Newstead Wood School for a two week introduction to cabinet making with solid wood. 10 days of fine woodworking with a sensitive, thoughtful and gentle approach.
10 Days
$1,900
Next Course - April 13th - 24th, 2026
Part of the fundamentals series of courses are designed to be a natural flow in progression of learning, which offer different projects and learning outcomes. The courses in this series but can be done in any order.
For example a student may choose to enrol in either of the Fundamentals #1 #2 or #3 courses first and then choose to undertake the other 2 courses later.
Project - Small wall hung shelf with mortice & tenon joinery
5 Days
$1,200
Next Course - October 19th - 23rd, 2026
Part of the fundamentals series of courses, which are designed to be a natural flow in progression of learning and offer different projects and learning outcomes.
The courses in this series can be done in any order. For example a student may choose to enrol in either of the Fundamentals #1 #2 or #3 courses first and then choose to undertake the other 2 courses later.
Project - Small side table, featuring book matched top and various types of joinery.
5 Days
$1,200
Next Course - May 4th - 8th, 2026
Part of the fundamentals series of courses, which are designed to be a natural flow in progression of learning and offer different projects and learning outcomes.
The courses in this series but can be done in any order. For example a student may choose to enrol in either of the Fundamentals #1 #2 or #3 courses first and then choose to undertake the other 2 courses later.
Project - Dovetail Box
5 Days
$1,200
Next Course - September 21st - 25th, 2026
Long form
Dovetail Joinery - Tails & Pins
4 weeks / Register Interest
Chair Making - Design & Make
6 weeks / Register Interest
Flitch To Furniture
6 weeks / Register Interest
Carpentry Courses
From forest to cabin, this 5 day course is an immersive and hands on experience, perfect for those seeking to learn the basics of traditional timber framing. You will use hand tools and power tools to construct mortice and tenon joints in large section timber. Ever dreamt of making a cabin in the woods or timber barn or studio? Then this course is for you.
Only 3 places available.
5 Days
$1,200
Next Courses;
May 18th - 22nd, 2026
November 6th - 7th, 2026
Learning Outcomes & Topics covered;
Timber selection & sourcing
Timber handling and layout
Joinery layout, marking and scribing - using English Scribe Rule
Mortise and Tenon Joinery - using hand and power tools
Draw Bored Pegs - splitting, shaving and fitting
Detailing and finishing timbers
Frame Assembly - ‘ Barn Raising’ How to safely and carefully raise your timber frame.