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 and sewing machine skills to natural and manmade fabrics. They will also look at e-textiles to see how electronics are being used in the production of textiles today. The Textiles curriculum has been designed to inspire, challenge and motivate every student, no matter their level of ability, while supporting them in developing their creative skills.
Key Stage 3
- Yr7- The Hi Vis Keyring Project is introduced in Year 7 and builds on skills students will have learnt at KS2. Students will produce a hi vis keyring which will help keep them safe when making their journeys to and from school in the dark. They will learn how to layer hi vis fabrics together to produce their keyring using running stitch and attach some decorative components to add surface embellishment.
- YR 8- Pop Art Project is introduced in Year 8 and builds upon the skills the students have learnt in Year 7. Students will look at 4 famous Pop Art artists and incorporate their work to produce a 2D/3D practical outcome using a range of new direct and 3D techniques as well as some surface pattern embellishment.
- YR 9- Wearable Art Project allows students to develop further the skill and knowledge they have learnt in Year 7 and 8. In this project they will look at a range of famous artists and incorporate their work into a 2D/3D wearable art piece using a range of techniques including direct techniques, needle felting, e-textiles and surface embellishment techniques.
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.