A Level Textiles Technology

 

A-Level Textiles technology gives you the opportunity to develop your capacity to design and make garments and textile products. In doing so you will gain skills in product design and utilise different materials in manufacturing your own product(s). You will also explore techniques for developing, presenting and manufacturing your ideas, such as drawing, using ICT in design, applying colour, embellishment techniques, manipulating fabric and construction techniques. These will all enhance your ability to think creatively and make ‘QUALITY’ professional looking products.

 

AS Units

 

There are 4 units in total and you will study 2 units each year:

 

UNIT 1 (AS):     Materials and

Components (written paper, 2 hours,

25% of total A level marks). Students will

learn about fabric construction,

components, history of design, the role

of a designer, marketing, health and

safety, ethics and the environment.  

 

UNIT 2 (AS):     Learning through

designing and making (coursework, 25%

of total A level marks). Students will complete an A3 portfolio of work showing the design process and linking it to industry. A manufactured garment/ product(s) must be produced showing the prototype version and final linked to the current high street trends. Students are expected to provide their own fabric and components for this piece of work.

 

A2 Units

 

UNIT 3 (A2):      Design and manufacture

(written paper, 2 hours, 25% of total A

Level marks).  Candidates further develop

their knowledge and understanding of materials and components, design and market influences and processes and manufacture. The synoptic assessment will focus particularly on knowledge of materials and components in relation to the context of application, market demands and through processes and manufacture.

Students will explore the effects of major developments in textiles technology, product and fashion life cycles, global production, product maintenance, systems and control and careers that exist within the industry.

 

UNIT 4 (A2):      Design and making in

practice (coursework, 25% of total A

Level marks). Students are expected to show progression from AS and the focus is on costume design for film and theatre.

 

 

Assessment details

 

Unit 1

Exam

Externally assessed.

Unit 2

Coursework

Internally assessed coursework

Assessment details

 

Unit 3

Exam

Externally assessed.

Unit 4

Coursework

Internally assessed coursework

 

Progression

This course provides wide opportunities within design for further education and job opportunities.  The obvious route to follow is of course a fashion or textile designer but other areas you could work in are merchandising, buying, advertising, marketing, manufacture, textile science or fashion media. Interior design has never been more popular and this course would provide a valuable stepping stone. 

 

Exam board

AQA