Textiles
Textiles A-Level offers the opportunity to combine both your creativity and technical abilities. You will gain various transferable skills which are valuable in any future career or further study. You will study areas within fashion design and illustration, product design and fine art; all to work toward realising your own ideas.
Entry Requirements
GCSE Art/Textiles Grade 5+ and a minimum of 4 GCSEs Grade 4+
Content
The Exexcel A Level has two components:
| Component 1: | Internally set projects and an extended personal project and essay |
| Component 2: | Externally set assignment and 15-hour timed exam |
In Year One, you will complete a range of short projects designed to develop skills in printed and dyed textiles, surface patterns, stitched and embellished textiles and design elements. Throughout the course you will analyse and research textile pieces, create practical samples and explore artists within varying textile mediums and genres.
In Year Two, you will work on a personal project devised with help from your teacher and develop your own final outcomes. You will also complete an extended essay and a further project of an externally set assignment culminating in a 15-hour practical exam.
Assessment
60% coursework, 40% externally set assignment. Both Components are internally assessed and then externally moderated.
Am I right for the course?
If you have an eye for design, are creative, have a passion for working with materials and enjoy developing your own ideas then this is the course for you. You will be expected to work independently to manage coursework deadlines and commit your time outside of lesson to complete practical work and final outcomes.
Course Highlights
| Hands-on Experience: | Work in a well-equipped classroom with a wide range of materials. |
| Personal Development: | Develop projects inspired by your personal experiences and observations while learning to research and draw inspiration from influential artists and designers. By connecting your ideas to the world around you, you’ll create meaningful, original works that showcase your individuality. |
| Enrichment: |
Study the work of renowned designers, visit top galleries, including The Tate & The V&A Museum. Showcase your work in a final Year 13 exhibition. |
Where next?
This course provides you with the essential skills needed to progress into a career path within the textiles and creative industries. It also provides a suitable advanced level course for other career routes.
Higher Education courses and employment opportunities available to students with fashion and textiles qualifications include fashion promotion, textile management, clothing studies with textiles, fashion and design with marketing/technology, a retail buyer, journalism, garment technology, textile and fashion design.
FAQ's
- Can I study this alongside Photography?
Yes, the courses link well together, you would achieve and A-Level in both Art & Design Textiles and Art & Design Photography. Most of the creative subjects involve a lot of coursework so you would need to have good time management and organisational skills to be successful. - Is there a written exam?
No, the exam is a practical exam which is a set project. You make the final piece under timed conditions at the end of the course. - Can I use digital media?
Yes, students are encouraged to use digital media with past students having created digital films,
sound pieces, I Pad artworks and mixed media digital pieces. - Do I have to create fashion designs?
No, you will develop and design final outcomes that celebrate your strengths and chosen projects. This can include designing products (e.g. A lamp, quilt) or fine art pieces.
Textiles Department Staff
Subject Leader for Textiles