Textiles AS/A2 Level at The Helena Romanes School and Sixth Form Centre
Course description
This examination offers the opportunity for students to explore product analysis, design and development, and to use textiles as a medium for manufacture. It aims to give students an understanding of both domestic and industrial manufacture of their own products.
The course will examine closely, the materials and components used in product development and will give students opportunities for experimentation and modelling with these materials. They will develop skills, which will enable them to design and manufacture in areas such as printed and dyed textiles, fabric construction, soft furnishings and millinery.
There will be visits to exhibitions, industrial and retail outlets to develop knowledge and understanding of product design and manufacture. Students who study Textiles for two years will have the option of a field course, which in the past has included a visit to New York.
Course content
Unit 1: Product Development
Unit 2: Learning Through Designing and Making
Unit 3: Product Design Textiles
Unit 4: Commercial Product Development
Entry requirements
In order to study Textiles at A Level you must have achieved 5 GCSEs A* - C.
Grade C in English or Maths is also required. Students must have taken a Design Technology subject in Year 11.
Assessment
2 & 4 units have a exam, plus units 1 & 3 have coursework too.
Future opportunities
Students who have studied this course have moved on to colleges and universities to study the following courses at varying levels from HNC, HND, and Foundation to BA (Hons) Degrees. Subjects have included European Fashion ( Product Development), Fashion Design and Marketing, Fashion Retail Management, Fashion Media & Promotion, Textile Design and Surface Decoration to name but a few.
These students have progressed onto jobs in Millinery (at Philip Tracey!), Fashion buying for department store chains e.g. Debenhams. Fabric buying for sportswear companies in the UK and abroad and working for fashion designers e.g. Jeff Banks, and one student is currently studying for a PhD in Medical Textiles.
How to apply
If you want to apply for this course, you will need to contact The Helena Romanes School and Sixth Form Centre directly.