Textiles Design

Qualification: A-Level

Awarding Body:
Pearson Edexcel
Length of Course:
2 Years

 

The aims of Advanced GCE in Textile Design are to enable students to develop:

  • intellectual, imaginative, creative and intuitive capabilities
  • investigative, analytical, experimental, practical, technical and expressive skills, aesthetic understanding and critical judgement
  • independence of mind in developing, refining and communicating their own ideas, their own intentions and their own personal outcomes
  • an interest in, enthusiasm for and enjoyment of art, craft and design
  • their experience of working with a broad range of media
  • an understanding of the interrelationships between art, craft and design processes and an awareness of the contexts in which they operate
  • knowledge and experience of real-world contexts and, where appropriate, links to the creative industries
  • knowledge and understanding of art, craft, design and media and technologies in contemporary and past societies and cultures
  • an awareness of different roles, functions, audiences and consumers of art, craft and design.

 

The qualification consists of two components, both teacher assessed and externally moderated by Edexcel.

The qualification can be achieved by following one of the six titles as detailed in the specification. Students must complete all assessment in May/June in any single year.

Component 1 is worth 60% of the final qualification. It allows students opportunities to generate and develop ideas, research primary and contextual sources, record practical and written observations, experiment with media and processes, and refine ideas towards producing personal resolved outcome(s).

Students are required to address each of the Assessment Objectives given in the specification, and must work within either Textile Design or Three-dimensional Design.

Overview of assessment for Component 1:

  • Incorporates three major elements: supporting studies, practical work and a personal study.
  • Supporting studies and practical work will comprise a portfolio of development work and outcomes based on themes and ideas developed from personal starting points.
  • The personal study will be evidenced through critical written communication showing contextual research and understanding in a minimum 1000 words of continuous prose, which may contain integrated images. The personal study comprises 12% of the total qualification and is marked out of 18.
  • Work must cover all four Assessment Objectives.
  • Marks available: 90.

 

Component 2 is worth 40% of the final qualification. This component allows students opportunities to generate and develop ideas, research primary and contextual sources, record practical and written observations, experiment with media and processes, and refine ideas towards producing personal resolved outcome(s) in response to an externally set theme.

Students must address each of the Assessment Objectives in the specification and continue to work within the same title as component 1.

Overview of assessment for Component 2

  • Incorporates two major elements: preparatory studies and the 15–hour period of sustained focus.
  • Preparatory studies will comprise a portfolio of practical and written development work based on an Externally Set Assignment.
  • During the 15–hour period of sustained focus under examination conditions, students will produce final outcome(s) extending from their preparatory studies in response to the Externally Set Assignment.
  • The Externally Set Assignment is released on 1 February and contains a theme and suggested starting points.
  • Students have from 1 February until the commencement of the final 15–hour period of sustained focus to develop preparatory studies.
  • Work must cover all four Assessment Objectives as specified.
  • Marks available: 72

Progression:

Students can progress from this qualification to:

  • further education courses such as the BTEC Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (QCF)
  • higher education courses such as BTEC Higher National Diplomas in art and design subjects, or direct to a BA

Honours degree with an art and design focus

  • apprenticeships or other training
  • employment in a related sector

 

 

Entry Requirements

The course is intended to form a progression from GCSE where students have studied Textiles. Students with a minimum Grade 5 at GCSE will find the transition to this course is achievable.