A Level Textile Design

Textile Design

Develop your knowledge across a broad range of materials, techniques and processes, including interdisciplinary approaches, in this engaging, practical course. Express your creativity through designs using techniques such as weaving, embroidery, knitting, printing, painting, embellishment and constructional methods.

Why St Mary’s

Explore this creative subject, inspired by subject-specialist teachers, who are passionate about design.

From sewing and computerised embroidery machines, to a sublimation printer, heat press, printing and dyeing equipment and manikins – you will have access to everything you need to develop broad and advanced skills in our textiles department.

Our enriched learning opportunities can include:

  • Visiting speakers (recent examples include: Sophia Malig, Teaching Fellow in Fashion Design, Winchester School of Art, designers and crafts people)
  • Local and national museum visits, including the V&A Museum
  • Local and national design competitions (The Knitting and Stitching Show competitions, Boyd Education)
  • Daily lunchtime clubs and workshops
  • After-school textiles club twice a week

Enabling your transition from GCSE

The transition from GCSE to A Level is smooth, as we build on existing skills. You will learn in small classes, with plenty of access to 1:1 tutoring throughout your course.

As you progress, you will become a more independent learner, completing a Personal Investigation. However, the support of our highly-skilled teachers will be on hand, to develop both your technical ability and creative ideas.

Your written assignments will be regularly reviewed and again, additional support – including EAL and SEN support is available for all students, as required.

Course overview

A Level content

Component 1 - Personal investigation

This is a practical investigation into an idea, issue, concept or theme, supported by written material. This component is divided into four assessment objectives:

  1. Developing ideas
  2. Experimenting with textile media
  3. Recording ideas
  4. Reflecting on work carried out and producing a final response

Component 2 - Externally set assignment

This starts on 1 February. There is a preparatory period, followed by 15 hours of supervised time. One theme is chosen from the externally set paper. The same assessment objectives apply as for Component 1 except there is no additional written assignment.

Assessment

You will be assessed on two core elements:

  • Component 1 Personal Investigation (60% of A Level grade)
  • Component 2 Externally set assignment (40% of A Level grade)

All components are internally marked and externally moderated by Eduqas.

Visit our Sixth Form

Textiles scholarships

We offer scholarships for talented textile artists.

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At a glance
  • Syllabus: Eduqas
  • Portfolio/Personal investigation
  • Externally set assignment
  • 1:1 tutor support
  • Dedicated textiles department
  • Small class sizes

Entry requirements

GCSE grades (or equivalent)

  • Subject 1: Textiles: 6+ (iGCSE B)
  • Subject 2: English Language: 6+ (CEFR B2.2)
  • Or portfolio submission (essential for international students)
You will enjoy this course if you ...
  • Have an interest in practical textiles
  • Enjoy being creative and taking the initiative
  • Have an eye for detail
  • Can think analytically
  • Are keen to undertake independent learning

What our teachers say...

“I have always loved doing things and creating new ideas. I chose Textiles as my medium as I love working with textures and different techniques that you can use to create the most fascinating textile pieces. Now, as teacher, I love sharing my passion for textiles and get so much enjoyment out of seeing my students learning something new.”

Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” Coco Chanel

Textile Design encourages creativity, sustained investigation and analysis, experimentation, and design and making as a means of developing technical and expressive skills.

Studying Textile Design as GCSE or A Level offers an opportunity to extend experience and personal response, as well as developing imagination and critical and reflective thinking. An ability to innovate, adapt and work independently are key skills, valued by higher education and employers, and vital to sustaining a creative, vibrant world.

Past St Mary's students have progressed to study a variety of fashion and textile courses including: Fashion and Textile Design at Nottingham Trent University and Winchester School of Art; Costume with Textiles at Huddersfield University and Textile Design at Norwich University of Arts.

This qualification leads to a range of different future career roles, including clothing/textile technologist, colour technologist, illustrator, interior designer, fashion designer or textile designer.

 

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