Welcome to A Level Textiles

A Level Textiles at our school is designed for motivated students who are passionate about creativity, design, and making. The course is ideal for those planning to study fashion, textiles, or related creative subjects in higher education, as well as for students seeking to develop lifelong skills in design thinking, problem-solving, and practical innovation. 

The course encourages students to challenge their creative and technical expectations. It is an engaging and thought-provoking programme where students develop technical proficiency, confidence as textile designers, and critical thinking skills. Alongside producing their own textile work, students explore designers, historical movements, and contemporary practices across a variety of materials and techniques.

All students create a personal investigation, developing a body of textile work based on a theme or design brief of their choice. This includes practical experimentation, research, and reflective writing to show how your design intentions guide your creative process.

• Assessment: 60% of final grade

• Students are assessed on investigation, development, refinement, and final outcomes, demonstrating originality, technical skill, and critical understanding of textiles.

In the ESA, students respond to a theme set by the exam board. This includes preparatory studies, experimentation, and a final textile outcome produced under timed conditions. The ESA tests creativity, independence, and the ability to produce a resolved design or textile piece within a structured timeframe.

• Assessment: 40% of final grade

• Students are marked on their ability to explore ideas, develop concepts, and create final outcomes, demonstrating personal style, technical confidence, and practical skill.

Throughout the course, students explore stitching, printing, embroidery, woven and non-woven textiles, surface design, and mixed-media techniques, alongside contextual studies of designers, fashion and textile movements, and contemporary practice. This supports informed design decisions and connects students’ work to wider cultural and creative contexts.

Students are assessed against four objectives:

1. Develop ideas through research, design, and experimentation.

2. Refine work through critical reflection and skill development.

3. Record ideas through practical and written outcomes.

4. Present a personal and meaningful response in a resolved final textile piece.

These objectives help students grow as independent, thoughtful designers while providing clear guidance for assessment.

The following are just some of the techniques you will be learning: fabric printing, mono-printing, relief printing, screen printing, tie-dye, batik, fabric construction, stitching, appliqué, patchwork, padding, quilting, embroidery, weaving, and mixed-media applications.

A Level Textiles prepares students for higher education in fashion, textiles, or design, while also developing skills highly valued in many creative and professional fields. Careers include fashion design, costume design, interior design, textile manufacturing, graphic design, marketing, and education, where creativity, problem-solving, practical skills, and visual communication are essential.