A-Level Mathematics

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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 prototype 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.

Students are required to engage in both practical and theoretical study. These have been separated into: 

• Technical principles 

• Designing and making principles.

Courses Offered

A Level Textiles: 7562 (AQA)

Syllabus Breakdown

Paper 1 Exam        30%
Core technical principles, core designing and making principles. Mixture of short answer and extended response questions.

Paper 2 Exam        20%
Specialist knowledge, technical, designing, and making principles. Mixture of short answer and extended response questions. 

NEA (coursework project)    50%
A substantial design and make task. Written or digital design portfolio and photographic evidence of final prototype.

Minimum Entry Requirements

In addition to our general Sixth Form entry requirements of five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, students will need to obtain a grade 5 in GCSE Textiles, Design and technology or Art, in order to take the Design and Technology: Textiles course.

Why Study This Subject?

For anyone interested in fashion design, interior design, textile art, fashion journalism, styling, retailing, costume design for theatre and film, and fashion illustration then A level Textiles is an excellent choice.

In an ‘anything goes’ consumer market, with efforts to reduce manufacturing impacts on the environment and a global emphasis on recycling now is arguably one of the most exciting times to study textiles.

The current revolution in fabrics, fibres and technology has delivered a wealth of amazing materials to play with including supersensitive textiles that conduct electricity or that have smart surfaces imbedded, fabric dyes that change colour depending on the temperature, not to mention 3D printing. These innovations merge fashion with a wide range of other fields including healthcare, sport and architecture.

Wider Opportunities

Trips will be made available to support students learning for example: V&A, universities, creative industry experience and workshop for skill development.

Students will experience the making of costumes for the school productions and developing iterative designs to support the local community.

What Our Students Say:

“I love being able to design and make my own garment – to be creative and original – wearing something unique that you have the pleasure of knowing you made from scratch.”

What Can I Do Next?

Textiles students have a wide choice of career pathways within the creative industry including: fashion designer, bespoke tailoring, theatre costume designer, pattern cutter, fabric technologist, fashioner editor, stylist, visual merchandiser, forecasting agent, merchandising and buying.