Textiles

Exam Board:

AQA

What will I study on the course:

You will explore textile design as a creative medium, producing functional or decorative pieces using a range of processes and materials. Key areas include:

• Developing ideas through research into textile designers, artists, historical and contemporary contexts (e.g., fashion, interiors, accessories).
• Experimenting with techniques such as weaving, knitting, stitching, printing (block, screen, digital), dyeing, batik, embroidery, fabric manipulation, felting, appliqué, and embellishment.
• Recording observations, experiments, and ideas in sketchbooks or digital formats, with annotations, critical analysis, and mood boards.
• Realising personal intentions through final outcomes like garments, accessories, surface patterns, installations, or constructed textiles. The course covers areas such as fashion design, interior textiles, costume, or fine art textiles, emphasising composition, colour, texture, sustainability, and how textiles communicate ideas or serve purposes in the real world.

How is the course assessed:

100% non-exam assessment (coursework and externally set assignment; no written exams):

• Component 1: Portfolio – 96 marks, 60% – A sustained personal project (showing the journey from initial ideas to realisation) plus further work from the course. Internally assessed and externally moderated by AQA; no time limit.
• Component 2: Externally set assignment – 96 marks, 40% – Respond to one starting point from the AQA exam paper (preparatory period followed by 10 hours of supervised time to produce final outcomes). Internally assessed and externally moderated. Both components address four equal assessment objectives: developing ideas (AO1), experimenting/refining (AO2), recording (AO3), and presenting a personal response (AO4). Work is graded 9-1 based on practical portfolios, sketchbooks, samples, and final pieces.

Post-16 courses:

A Level Textile Design (or Art & Design with textiles focus), Level 3 BTEC in Art & Design, Fashion & Textiles, or Creative Media; apprenticeships in fashion, textiles, or design. Progression to sixth form/college (e.g., Stoke-on-Trent College or local providers) for degrees in fashion design, textile design, surface pattern, interior design, or related creative fields.

Careers:

Fashion designer, textile designer, surface pattern designer, costume designer (theatre/film), interior designer, accessory/jewellery designer, fashion stylist, printmaker, garment technologist, sustainable textiles specialist, or roles in retail, manufacturing, marketing, and the creative industries. The UK fashion and textiles sector is large and growing, with opportunities in freelance, high street, luxury, or eco-design.

Specific advantages:

This specialist course is highly practical and hands-on, allowing you to focus on textiles while developing a unique personal style in a supportive setting. It suits students who enjoy sewing, printing, experimenting with fabrics, and creating wearable or decorative items, with no prior experience required. At Discovery Academy, it’s part of the Creative Arts offer, with access to facilities for stitching, dyeing, and construction, building confidence, a professional portfolio, and skills for further creative pathways.

How useful it is in the real world: