Textiles Fashion & Constructed – A Level

Special Entry Requirements

In addition to the A Level entry requirements you will need grade 5 in GCSE English Language.

Subject Intent

A Level Fine Art, Graphic Communication and Textile Design offers students a truly creative opportunity, allowing them to flourish personally and academically through self-expression. The curriculum provides independence, communication, learning, and thinking skills and combines this with practical elements and hands-on experience. Students can expect to gain analytical and written skills through the study of a diverse range of contextual influences. Over the two-year course, a large variety of practical techniques, skills and processes are covered, allowing students to progress in their own creative projects. Creative works produced by students throughout the course could be used within their professional portfolios, to demonstrate their skills to future employers or interviewers. Students will develop an in depth understanding of the creative industry, and acquire knowledge, skills and professional attributes to prepare them for their future university study and careers.

Course Introduction

The emphasis of the course is on developing your own ideas and creativity with constant reference to contemporary art practice. It is a mainly practical course where you can choose to broaden skills in a variety of textile mediums. The atmosphere in the art studios is alive with a diversity of ideas and methods of work. Many students gravitate towards the art studios in their own time to continue their work in a supportive, highly creative and very happy environment.

Preparing for A Level Textiles

We have created a transition pack to show you the kind of work you will be doing at level 3 and help you prepare for September:

Textiles transition pack

If you have any questions about the course, please email admissions@s6f.org.uk

Course Modules

First Year

You will be introduced to a range of different textile processes and materials as well as giving you knowledge and skills that will allow you to develop your own individual creative working practices. You will study a variety of techniques including constructed textiles, machine embroidery and fashion. Working from a given theme you will develop your recording and research skills whilst being introduced to a wide range of historical and contemporary artists. It is an art based course and, as in the other courses on offer, you will be expected to produce observation drawings and designs and to keep sketchbooks of your research and ideas. Towards the end of this first unit you will be given the opportunity to generate and develop your own ideas in response to the work of others and your understanding of the theme, before working towards a well considered final piece or pieces.

Second Year

The emphasis of the second year is on independent study to enrich your own personal work, integrating contextual studies with your personal practice. This can take many forms and is usually a very visual study including some larger pieces of work if it is appropriate.
Students are also encouraged to look at the work of the previous A2 students and apply the same rigorous process of analysis as they would to a professional artist's work. Question papers will arrive in February for you to use as starting points for the end of year examination.