THE TEAM

Mrs S Bromley

Teacher of Fashion and Textiles

INTRODUCTION TO THE DEPARTMENT

This creative and thought-provoking qualification gives students the practical skills, theoretical knowledge and confidence to succeed in a number of careers. Especially those in the creative industries. They will investigate historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic influences on design and technology, whilst enjoying opportunities to put their learning in to practice by producing products of their choice. Students will gain a real understanding of what it means to be a designer, alongside the knowledge and skills sought by higher education and employers.

WHY STUDY FASHION AND TEXTILES?

This creative and thought-provoking qualification gives students the practical skills, theoretical knowledge and confidence to succeed in a number of careers, especially those in the creative industries. Students will investigate historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic influences on design and technology, whilst enjoying opportunities to put their learning into practice by producing products of their choice. Students will gain a real understanding of what it means to be a designer, alongside the knowledge and skills sought by higher education and employers.

FUTURE ACADEMIC AND CAREER PATHWAYS

Students who study Fashion and Textiles can go on to further study at university. This could lead in to these careers: clothing/textile technologist, colour technologist, interior and spatial designer, fashion designer, textile designer, printmaker, product designer, retail buyer, stylist, visual merchandiser.

COURSE CONTENT

Students will be studying the AQA Art and design: Textile design syllabus.

The first part of Years 12 will be mostly experimental, building on skills and knowledge in a wide range of textiles skills and processes. Students the start to focus of their extended personal project. This forms the basis for their coursework. In Years 13 students receive their externally set exam paper around the January time and will work on this as towards their final exam when they will be given 15 hrs practical time to create a final piece.

ASSESSMENT

• Component 1 Portfolio: produce a sustained project and a selection of further work that represents the course of study. This is worth 60% of your overall marks.

• Component 2 Externally set assignment: there’s a separate externally set task paper for each title. It features seven tasks and you have to complete one of them. You get preparation time, plus ten hours of supervised time. This is worth 40% of your total marks.

EXTRACURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES

Students who have completed this course in the past have enjoyed trips to London and the Design Museum, Golds Hawk Road to explore the rich selection of fabric emporiums. The Clothes Show and the Victoria and Albert Museum to investigate fashion and trends in the current time and through the ages.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Ideally, students will have attained a grade 5 in GCSE Textiles or Art and English. However, if students have not completed a Textiles or Art GCSE it may still be possible for them to take the A Level if they are prepared to complete some summer work before the start of the course. An enjoyment of fashion and interest in textiles and clothing is a key element. As 50% of the course is portfolio based students need to be self-motivated and manage their time effectively. Students need to be able to think laterally and apply their knowledge in new situations.