Fashion & Textiles A Level (AQA)
Course Overview (AQA syllabus)
Students will be introduced to a variety of experiences that explore a range of textile skills, techniques and processes. They will be made aware of both traditional and new technologies. They will explore relevant images, artefacts and resources relating to a range of art, craft and design, from the past and from recent times, this is integral to the investigating and making processes. Students’ responses to these examples will be shown through practical and critical activities that demonstrate their understanding of different styles, genres and traditions.
Using sketchbooks/workbooks/journals to underpin their work, students will develop their drawing skills in order to produce storyboards, thumbnail sketches and/or diagrams, where appropriate. They will produce responses to these examples which will be shown through practical and critical activities.
Students will be made aware of the four assessment objectives to be demonstrated through both the process and final product.
Course Requirement
5 GCSEs graded 9 – 4 including English and Maths at grade 4. Grade 4 in Art & Design related subject required. For those who have not previously studied this subject they will have a further interview and may need to produce a portfolio.
Year 1
Students will be given a comprehensive introduction to fashion and textiles. This includes an introduction to concepts and skills in fashion and textiles. They will explore the work of key practitioners and be introduced to important historical trends. They will develop a broad understanding of fashion and textiles from starting point to end products. They develop their ability to research and analyse independently, experiment with ideas and media and produce final designs and fashion/textile outcomes.
Students will undertake The Personal Investigation coursework. They will choose a theme or area of practice that interests them and begin to conduct strategic research. They will experiment with making independent responses, developing stronger ideas over time and refining and developing their work. This process will continue into Year 13 to ensure creative, fully developed ideas and exploration.
Year 2
Students will continue to develop their Personal Investigation course, resolving outcomes related to their research and considering various display strategies. They will also complete the accompanying critical study essay.
Students will undertake the Externally Set Task, independently selecting a question from the exam board set questions. They will prepare research and explorations around their chosen question using the assessment objectives to guide their working process and complete a final response in a 15 hour controlled assessment. An external examiner will visit the school in June to see an exhibition of students’ work and to moderate the marks assessed by the teacher.
Assessment Information
60% Controlled Assessment
40% Externally set assessment
Future Pathways
The qualification provides students with the opportunity to build a portfolio necessary for Art and/ or Design degree courses or Art Foundation course.