Introduction to Fashion and Textiles

This engaging practical course will challenge students to develop their critical understanding of textiles through a series of coherent and meaningful learning experiences. Students have free rein to work creatively and they will be expected to habitually take calculated risks to develop their technical skills and knowledge through exploration and experimentation. All students have the opportunity to showcase their final personal outcome at the Plashet annual Fashion Show.

KS3

In KS3 we focus on nurturing an enthusiasm for Fashion and Textiles by allowing students to develop a broad range of practical skills including hand and machine techniques. We look at the work of contemporary and classical artists and designers. This helps us to develop critical and observational skills paying close attention to the formal elements such as line, colour, shape and texture.

In Year 9, the emphasis is on pattern cutting and garment manufacturing techniques. Students will gain experience in the areas of fashion design, printed fabrics, digital textiles and embellished textiles. They also work with an increasingly wider range of media and materials. Schemes of Learning are sequential, allowing students to become increasingly independent as they prepare for KS4.

Exam board and Syllabus: Edexcel Art and Design (Textile Design) (1TE0)

In Years 10 and 11, students will continue to develop their skills by undertaking comprehensive projects to explore, experiment, design and create a number of personal outcomes. Students are guided to take ownership of their own project. They could work in some or all of the following areas:

• constructed textiles,
• digital textiles,
• dyed/printed fabrics,
• fashion design
• embellished textiles.

As part of the course, students are expected to undertake a number of visits so that they can appreciate textiles in both an historical and/or contemporary context. Locations for visits vary depending on exhibitions and projects on offer.

How students are assessed at the end of the course

Final grades are derived entirely from portfolios of work and final practical outcomes.
60% of the final grade will come from a major portfolio and personal outcomes. These are based on internally set themes and are developed from personal and/or given starting points. This takes place from the start of Year 10 and is completed in Year 11.

The remaining 40% comes from an externally set practical assignment. This assignment is completed in the second half of Year 11.