Design and Technology
Curriculum Intent
Curriculum Maps
Product-Design-Curriculum-Map.pdf
Fashion-Textile-Curriculum-map.pdf
Curriculum Journey
Year-7-DT-Learning-Journey.pdf
Year-8-Design-and-Technology-Learning-Journey.pdf
Introduction / Overview
The Fashion & Textiles department is well equipped with a range of sewing machines, printing presses and dye sublimation printers.
Textiles students are positively encouraged to spend some of their study time in the department.
Key Stage 3
Students in Years 7 to 9 are introduced to a wide range of exciting and creative textiles techniques, including hand and machine embroidery, various printing methods, fabric dyeing, and more.
In Years 7 and 8, students follow a carousel system, rotating once per term. During their textiles rotation, they respond to open-ended design briefs, encouraging them to explore their creativity and produce original, personalised outcomes.
In Year 9, students have three lessons per fortnight. They begin to develop more advanced skills by analysing the work of established textile artists and responding through experimentation with different materials and processes. In the summer term, students are introduced to digital design using Photoshop, where they learn to transform their own ideas into repeat pattern designs.
Key Stage 4
GCSE- AQA Art textiles (5 lessons per fortnight)
Throughout the year, students will complete two creative projects titled ‘At the Beach’ and ‘Texture’, presented within their personal sketchbooks.
September- January
In the first project, At the Beach, students will explore the work of a range of textile artists. Through research, observational drawing, and experimentation with textile techniques, they will develop ideas that culminate in a final outcome. Students will work towards designing and constructing either a corset or a waistcoat, using their chosen artist’s style and coastal inspiration as the foundation for their design.
January- December
In the second project, Texture, students will explore the theme through independent research and experimentation. They will investigate the work of textile artists who focus on surface quality, material manipulation, and mark making. Building on their research and practical exploration, students will produce at least three textile outcomes created outside of their sketchbooks, which demonstrate personal interpretation and reflect the techniques and styles they have studied.
January (of year 11)
From 1st January, students will receive their official exam briefs set by AQA. They will select one theme to explore and develop a personal and creative response through a series of preparatory studies presented in either sketchbooks or on presentation boards. This work will lead to a final 10-hour practical exam, during which students will produce a resolved textile outcome that reflects their development and chosen direction.
Key stage 5- AQA A level Art Textiles
From September to January, students will complete an intensive skills-based project designed to strengthen their technical ability and creative confidence. They will choose one of the following starting points: ‘Decay’, ‘Portraits’, or ‘Structure’. Guided by independent research and contextual studies, students will explore a range of textile techniques inspired by relevant artists. This project focuses on experimentation, material exploration, and building a strong foundation for future personal investigation work.
From January to February, students will begin their Personal Investigation, selecting a starting point that reflects a genuine personal interest. This independent project is guided by original and authentic research, encouraging students to develop a meaningful and individual response.
Students will produce a sustained body of work within their sketchbooks, exploring ideas through artist research, experimentation, and technique refinement. In addition, they will create 3 to 5 developed outcomes outside of their sketchbooks, demonstrating their creative journey and understanding of materials, processes, and concepts.
As part of this unit, students are also required to submit a written investigation (1,000–3,000 words) which supports and reflects upon their practical work. This project provides the foundation and direction for the Externally Set Task, which is released by AQA in February and culminates in a final 15-hour practical exam.
From 1st February, students will receive their official exam briefs set by AQA. They will select one theme to explore and develop a personal and creative response through a series of preparatory studies presented in either sketchbooks or on presentation boards. This work will lead to a final 15-hour practical exam, during which students will produce a resolved textile outcome that reflects their development and chosen direction.
Product Desigin
Textiles
The Fashion & Textiles department is well equipped with a range of sewing machines, printing presses and dye sublimation printers.
Textiles students are positively encouraged to spend some of their study time in the department.
Key Stage 3
Students in Years 7 to 9 are introduced to a wide range of exciting and creative textiles techniques, including hand and machine embroidery, various printing methods, fabric dyeing, and more.
In Years 7 and 8, students follow a carousel system, rotating once per term. During their textiles rotation, they respond to open-ended design briefs, encouraging them to explore their creativity and produce original, personalised outcomes.
In Year 9, students have three lessons per fortnight. They begin to develop more advanced skills by analysing the work of established textile artists and responding through experimentation with different materials and processes. In the summer term, students are introduced to digital design using Photoshop, where they learn to transform their own ideas into repeat pattern designs.
Key Stage 4
GCSE- AQA Art textiles (5 lessons per fortnight)
Throughout the year, students will complete two creative projects titled ‘At the Beach’ and ‘Texture’, presented within their personal sketchbooks.
September- January
In the first project, At the Beach, students will explore the work of a range of textile artists. Through research, observational drawing, and experimentation with textile techniques, they will develop ideas that culminate in a final outcome. Students will work towards designing and constructing either a corset or a waistcoat, using their chosen artist’s style and coastal inspiration as the foundation for their design.
January- December
In the second project, Texture, students will explore the theme through independent research and experimentation. They will investigate the work of textile artists who focus on surface quality, material manipulation, and mark making. Building on their research and practical exploration, students will produce at least three textile outcomes created outside of their sketchbooks, which demonstrate personal interpretation and reflect the techniques and styles they have studied.
January (of year 11)
From 1st January, students will receive their official exam briefs set by AQA. They will select one theme to explore and develop a personal and creative response through a series of preparatory studies presented in either sketchbooks or on presentation boards. This work will lead to a final 10-hour practical exam, during which students will produce a resolved textile outcome that reflects their development and chosen direction.
Key stage 5- AQA A level Art textiles
From September to January, students will complete an intensive skills-based project designed to strengthen their technical ability and creative confidence. They will choose one of the following starting points: ‘Decay’, ‘Portraits’, or ‘Structure’. Guided by independent research and contextual studies, students will explore a range of textile techniques inspired by relevant artists. This project focuses on experimentation, material exploration, and building a strong foundation for future personal investigation work.
From January to February, students will begin their Personal Investigation, selecting a starting point that reflects a genuine personal interest. This independent project is guided by original and authentic research, encouraging students to develop a meaningful and individual response.
Students will produce a sustained body of work within their sketchbooks, exploring ideas through artist research, experimentation, and technique refinement. In addition, they will create 3 to 5 developed outcomes outside of their sketchbooks, demonstrating their creative journey and understanding of materials, processes, and concepts.
As part of this unit, students are also required to submit a written investigation (1,000–3,000 words) which supports and reflects upon their practical work. This project provides the foundation and direction for the Externally Set Task, which is released by AQA in February and culminates in a final 15-hour practical exam.
From 1st February, students will receive their official exam briefs set by AQA. They will select one theme to explore and develop a personal and creative response through a series of preparatory studies presented in either sketchbooks or on presentation boards. This work will lead to a final 15-hour practical exam, during which students will produce a resolved textile outcome that reflects their development and chosen direction.
