Textiles

Intent

The textiles curriculum aims to inspire and motivate students, exposing them to diverse elements of practical textiles art, design and history. It seeks to connect conceptual ideas to practical making, enriching the students’ knowledge and understanding of relevant art history chronology and how to apply this to their own design in an ever changing visual world. It embeds the development of skills in light of research, underpinned by the belief that all students are able to achieve exceptional outcomes.

In year 7 and 8, the students are introduced to Textiles through core processes, focusing on developing awareness of Textiles as a connected, but separate discipline of Art and design. They explore embroidery, fabric painting, batik, digital pattern design and weaving. These practices develop the students’ confidence, promote creative risk taking and provide a grounding in delivered areas of the specialism to be built upon as they progress through the 5 year curriculum.

In year 9, students are guided to further develop their skills and creative responses to the work of existing artists/designers in a more specialised way. The principles of dyed/printed textiles, fine art textiles and constructed textiles are explored in more depth, through more targeted experimentation.

In year 10 and 11, the students undertake a 2 year GCSE in textiles, which is made up of a coursework unit (60%) of the final grade, and an externally set unit (40% of final grade). Each unit has a conceptual starting point, from which students develop their ideas through practical experimentation and analysis, of both their own work and that of artists/designers inspiring them. They draw upon the foundation skills they have developed throughout KS3 and refine their worn in light of their critical analysis. Students develop a cyclical approach to making, analysing and refining.

Implementation

In Years 7 and 8, students explore a range of core techniques and processes within the textiles discipline. They present their wok in a sketchbook and begin to develop their approach to recording the journey of their work. Each process/technique is explored in response to the work of existing artists/designers, and the students are supported to become confident using a range of analytical language and phrasing, as well as fundamental subject specific terminology.

In Years 9, students are guided to take a more in depth approach, to both the analysis of work, as well as their practical experimentation. Their sketchbooks are used to develop their ideas through a process of experimentation and review, seeking to refine their outcomes in a more specialised way. This builds upon the foundation skills developed in year 7 and 8, and prepares students for more independently driven project work at GCSE.

In Years 10 and 11, students undertake a GCSE. Within this programme, they are provided with a conceptual starting point to which they respond in a personal way. They are encouraged to draw upon their existing knowledge and skills and extend them to create work that is inspiring, original and thought-provoking. Work is created within sketchbooks, digital portfolios and as larger scale experiments, leading to final outcomes that represent the journey of their ideas, from conception to realisation.

Our Impact

Throughout the whole curriculum, students are guided to develop their skills and critical approach needed to excel within the Art & Design industry, with clear links being made with possible career paths from this subject base. The strong art history element woven into the curriculum raises cultural capital and nurtures a sense of curiosity, creative inquiry and draws links with the world around the students.

The impact can be seen in the diverse pathways into higher and further education taken by previous GCSE students of textiles; the inter-disciplinary nature of the subject equips students to be successful in a wide variety of creative ‘A’ levels and diplomas, but also prepares them for apprenticeships within the creative industry.

Students regularly voice their enjoyment of and enthusiasm for the subject and the high level of engagement in extra curricular activities reflects this. Many Textiles alumni return to MBA to share their current work, either from college or university, with staff and current students. This has included students studying locally, as well as those around the country, and abroad. The sharing of these stories serves as an inspiration to current students and further promotes the positive impact of this subject area.

Year 9 Textiles Curriculum

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Year 10 Textiles Curriculum

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Year 11 Textiles Curriculum

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