GCSE Design & Technology: Textiles Technology
Examination Board: AQA Specification code: 4570

The GCSE course aims to develop the students’ subject knowledge of design and textiles technology, build up practical textiles skills and to encourage creative work in response to design and make project briefs.
Entry Requirements
Students should enjoy working with a wide range of textile decorative techniques and be keen to learn how to develop original and effective textile products. Controlled assessment is an important aspect of the course and students should be prepared to work to deadlines.
Method of Assessment
The year 10 sketchbook and the short design and make projects will be assessed by teachers to give regular progress checks and reports. A combination of controlled assessment and written examination will form the overall GCSE grade at the end of this course.
The major project starts during year 10 and will be assessed to give 60% of total marks. This project is internally assessed by Textiles Technology teachers, and externally moderated by the Exam Board. The design tasks are set by the exam board and reviewed every 2 years.
Students follow a revision programme in the summer term prior to taking the final written paper and this exam contributes 40% of the overall marks. A preparation sheet is provided by the Exam Board to give a context to the exam design question and this gives the students the opportunity to research and develop their ideas before sitting the exam.
Year 10 and 11 Practical work
We sell A4 sketchbooks at cost price so that students can build up a personal resource of research material, textile samples and design ideas. Sampling and project work will require some student funding of materials, we also rely on kind donations of fabrics, to extend the resources available to students. A plastic A3 flip file and plastic A3 flip portfolio is required in term 3 for the Controlled Assessment project.
Future Opportunities
Not everyone who does this course will be seeking a career in Textile Design. However, many students do pursue their interests through an AS/A2 Level course of study in Textile Product Design or Textile Art, or through a range of college courses. Career opportunities are very extensive in the fields of design and technology, including textiles design, fashion design, costume design, graphic design, craft, fine art, media, film, photography, games design, architecture, retail, teaching etc.
Further Information
This course aims to develop each student’s enjoyment of textiles, it positively encourages them to be creative, develop ideas into an actual textile product and to be able to communicate their design ideas to others.