Why Study Textiles?

Textiles is ideal for students who enjoy practical work such as drawing, designing and physically making things. While some written, critical and analytical skills are required, the emphasis of the course is on practical work. Throughout the course students will be expected to work individually, and in groups, producing drawings and photographs, creating design work, experimenting with samples in a range of media, researching relevant designers and design movements, developing ideas to final pieces, and presenting work professionally. The course is supported by visits to exhibitions to see professional work at first hand.

Aims / Objectives

In Textiles the aim is to:

• To stimulate interest in the outside world and how it’s been designed
• To excite students about making things
• To challenge what we think we know.

 

“Don’t be afraid to take time to learn. It’s good to work for other people. I worked for others for 20 years. They paid me to learn.”   - Vera Wang

“Fashion is very important. It is life-enhancing and, like everything that gives pleasure, it is worth doing well.”  - Vivienne Westwood.

Key Stage 3

Students experience a structured approach to the teaching of Textiles which focuses on continuity, progression, breadth of experience and high expectations. Our schemes of work have been developed along a theme that follows a brief to give the students a realistic experience of working towards a customer’s requirements.

In Years 7 and 8 students focus on the basics of design and making. Projects are based on a theme each time with homework being set each alternate week. Homework is usually literacy based with one major research piece.

Finished work is evaluated and students decide where improvements can be made in future pieces. Work is displayed in the room and in a variety of venues around the academy.

Key Stage 4

In year 10 students can progress onto a GCSE course that is art and design based, but all outcomes are textile products. A wide variety of experiences and techniques are approached in year 10, so that in year 11 a major project can bring all these learned skills together. All students begin with producing a booklet of basic skills that they can then refer to as their projects later progress. The exam is a practical one over 10 hours where a final product will be made from scratch.

Some recent work.

 

Key Stage 5

At AS level students will consider a broad range of artists and designers and respond using art and textiles techniques. They will then build on these experiences to design their own piece of their own wearable art . At A2 level, students are encouraged to become much more independent and choose their own theme or issue to investigate which will lead the direction of their work. A written piece between 1000 and 3000 words must also be produced that tracks their influences and the way their ideas have developed. Over the years that this course has been running we have had some very good success stories with many going on to study fashion or textiles at university.

Recent A level products: