Textiles

Subject: Textiles
Subject/Curriculum Leader: Helen Marshall/Gemma MacDonald

Textiles is delivered through the Design Technology subject areas.  In principle students follow a design, make and evaluate learning process.
Design: 
Students identify and solve their own design problems and understand how to reformulate problems given to them.  They develop specifications to inform the design of innovative, functional and appealing products that respond to needs in a variety of situations 
use a variety of approaches to generate creative ideas develop and communicate design ideas using annotated sketches, detailed plans, 3-D and mathematical modelling, oral and digital presentations.
Make: 
Students select from and use specialist tools, techniques, processes, equipment and machinery precisely, including computer-aided manufacture, select from and use a wider, more complex range of materials, components and ingredients, taking into account their properties. 
Evaluate: 
Students analyse the work of past and present professionals and others to develop and broaden their understanding investigate new and emerging technologies test, evaluate and refine their ideas and products against a specification, taking into account the views of intended users and other interested groups understand developments in design and technology, its impact on individuals, society and the environment, and the responsibilities of designers, engineers and technologists 
 
Additional technical knowledge 
Students understand and use the properties of materials and the performance of structural elements to achieve functioning solutions 
understand how more advanced electrical and electronic systems can be powered and used in their products [for example, circuits with heat, light, sound and movement as inputs and outputs]

We have a well-stocked textiles specialist teaching room with sewing machines and heat presses.

Textiles is taught one lesson per fortnight. 

Key Stage 3
Y7
I created a monster project: 
Students design and create their own e-textiles monster inspired by the work of Jon Burgerman, incorporating smart textiles and conductive thread to make a soft toy monster that lights up. 
 
Y8
New materials: 
Students learn about the properties of a range of materials, including plastics, metals and papers. They experiment with ways to join, connect and fasten these for construction and decoration purposes. They will use and learn about the sewing machine alongside other specialist tools and tools to experiment.  
 
Y9
Storage resistance:
Students learn about how designer choices can affect the wider world and environment. They study the life cycle of a pair of jeans, its product carbon footprint and how refusing, reusing and recycling items is important. Students force and stress test new materials and use this information to inform their decision on which materials they will use to create their own storage bag. Examples include a thermal lunchbox or waterproofed shower bag. 
 

Key Stage 4

KS4
Students will study AQA GCSE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY 
They will learn about designing and making of textiles-based items. 
This could include: 
Cushions, clothing, bags, toys, decorations, lampshades and other products that involve fabric etc. 
Skills include: 
A wide range of decorative techniques used to enhance the fabric such as batik, applique, trapunto and dyeing, as well as complex methods of assembling textile products by hand, or sewing machine. 
Pattern drafting, cutting, measuring. 
Fabric manipulation: 
Pleating, weaving, embroidery, applique etc. 
 
Assessment information: 
50% coursework based around research, designing and making a textiles product. 
50% theory exam based around Core technical principles 
In addition: 
• at least 15% of the exam will assess Maths 
• at least 10% of the exam will assess Science 
 
Career progression:  
With a focus on textiles future employment could include: 
Pattern draper, menswear, women, children's and handbags designer. 
Seamstress and alterations, Textiles design manager and designer, bedding and homewares designer, costume designer/maker or merchandiser, buyer or marketing.