Textiles is a very popular subject at Westfield, gaining a firm footing in the ‘Arts’ curriculum.
This practical course explores the use of traditional materials, techniques and processes to communicate and demonstrate individual ideas and designs. Directed, skill based lessons are provided and training on how to use the machinery is a valid starting point for both courses. Students explore fashion, interior or fine art textiles and are given the opportunity to learn a wide range of techniques, from embroidery to printing, knitting to weaving – the list of opportunities are endless.
An important aspect of this course is to consider the work of artists and designers who help inform a student’s personal work. There are no limitations on who they can research for ideas and inspiration so we foster independence from the start.
• At GCSE, our students complete a portfolio of work that evidences the journey from initial experimentation to an extended, creative response resulting in a final Textile’s piece of their choice. The externally set assignment arrives into school at the start of January in Upper 5 (year 11) and offers several different starting points. Students select one to focus on producing a further sketchbook and have 10 hours of supervised time in which to complete the practical aspect of the work.
• A level is similar but also includes an additional ‘Written Study’ based on a designer or artist’s work of the student’s own choice. It must be linked to their work and submitted with all of their sketchbooks. 15 hours of supervised time is given to an externally set task. These options are offered from the 1st February in the second year of the course.
Girls who go on to study Textiles further tend to go into Fashion, Interior Design or related fields but there are so many opportunities to take this subject into other areas.
GCSE: Specification AQA
A level: Specification AQA
