Technology: Textiles
Subject Leader: Mrs L Hennigan
The Textiles curriculum has been designed to allow all students to be creative and imaginative when designing and making products that solve real life problems. It aims to build on student knowledge, understanding and skills while also teaching them about the technical understanding of a developing world to produce high quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users.
Students will study a wide range of techniques and materials from direct techniques to sewing techniques to natural and manmade fibres. They will also look at materials that can also be manipulated to add texture and depth to their work. The textiles curriculum has been designed to inspire , challenge and motivate every student no matter their level or ability while supporting them in developing their creative skills.
Key Stage 3
- Year 7- Cultural Toy Bag Project. This project is introduced in Year 7 and builds on skills students will have learnt at KS2. Students will produce a bag for the wooden slot toy they will have made in 3D Design to hold all the parts when not assembled. They will learn how to produce a digital design based on their chosen cultural animal that will be transferred on to the front of their hand sewn draw string bag.
- Year 8- Pop Art Project. This project builds upon the skills students have learnt in Year 7. Students will look at 4 famous Pop Art artists and incorporate their work to produce a 3D practical outcome using a range of new surface embellishment techniques that will be joined to their 3D Design practical outcome to make it more creative and unique.
- Year 9- Nature Project. Students will develop further the skill and knowledge they have learnt in Year 8. In this project they will look at the artist Deborah Collum and use some of her techniques as well as using materials they can manipulate to produce an eye-catching nature practical outcome.
Key Stage 4
At Key Stage 4 students can choose to study AQA GCSE Art and Design: Textiles. This course provides students with a range of creative, exciting and stimulating opportunities to develop and explore their personal interests in Textiles. Students will create designs and products for woven, knitted, stitched, printed or decorative textiles. Throughout their work, students will apply knowledge and understanding on the way sources inspire the development of ideas relevant to textile design through cultural, social, historical, contemporary and environmental issues where necessary to produce a personal response.
The GCSE course has two components, a portfolio and an externally set assignment, culminating in a 10-hour supervised practical exam. Students will complete two portfolio projects using the following themes to produce a creative and meaningful outcome:
- Nature
- The Human Figure / Wearable Art
What can I do with a Textiles qualification?
A GCSE in Textiles is not only for people who wish to take their studies further or pursue a career in technology and the creative arts. It also develops your ability to work independently, think creatively and solve problems. These are important qualities whether applied to your professional or personal life, skills which colleges, universities and employers are looking for when selecting from a group of applicants. Such a qualification can lead to careers in, but not limited to, fashion design, interior design, textiles design and textiles technology.