In response to Nikki’s notes and sketches I provided feedback in sketch form, with related notes as follows.

I’ve attached sketches showing a few minor modifications that I recommend you adopt.

1. Bear in mind that timber delivered to schools is of finite thickness. At Royal High, we can usually mill 60mm widths OK from the battens, which are usually 150 x 65mm in cross section. If you can keep the width of the timber you use down to under 60mm, then pupils won’t need to glue up to achieve a greater width.

2. I recommend that you extend the handles full width as per my sketches. They then make use of the extensions to the carcase walls needed to achieve a stopped housing.

3. By keeping the walls of the maze low in height, you open up the possibility of cutting curves using a jig saw or Hegner saw.

4. The rebate for the MDF base would be routed out after the frame had been assembled and glued.

5. I’ve made the thickness of the frame members an even number. I think this will be easier for pupils to mark out – 4, 8, 4mm.