Art, Craft and Design (Textiles)

Applications Open: - Friday 28th November 2025

Applications Close: - Friday 6 February 2026 - Please note - If you do not complete your application fully by the deadline of Friday 6 February 2026, we may not be able to consider it until August when GCSE results are published.

How to Apply:

Internal students - Applications to join our Sixth Form, via Applicaa, can be made via this link Mayfield Grammar School, Gravesend (applicaa.com). PLEASE NOTE that you should use an e-mail address that you check regularly as the Applicca system will contact you with updates about your application.

External students - Year 11 Students from other schools applying to Mayfield Grammar School should apply via KentChoices using this link - https://www.kentprospectus.co.uk/login. Please note - After sending your application, you'll receive a welcome email from Applicaa asking for further information.

If you applied to us before the deadline but have not heard from us for a while please bear with us, we are working through the applications and will get back to you with our decision and advice as soon as we can. We will continue to send messages via Applicaa so please logon from time to time to check if we need some additional information from you

Applications After the deadline

Students who are interested in applying to Mayfield Grammar School for Sixth Form but have missed our application process can contact us once they have their GCSE results in August. After the publication of GCSE examinations results in August we ask that you make an appointment to discuss your application with the Sixth Form team. You need to call 01474 352896 or email admissions@mgsg.kent.sch.uk. Please check you have met our entry criteria for the subjects you want to study and read our Options Booklet under the Sixth Form tab on our website for our general entry criteria. If you meet our criteria, please get in touch, and bring your original documents for GCSE Results Summary and Birth Certificate as ID when you are offered an appointment.

Entry Requirements: -

Entry to the Sixth Form is dependent on demonstrating achievements which show general breadth of ability as well as depth in the specific courses chosen for study in the Sixth Form. For this reason you will need to have achieved all the following:

1. A minimum of 6 GCSEs at Grade 5 and above, preferably on the higher papers, in discrete subjects, with the exception of Combined Science, which counts as two subjects.

2. Grade 5 or above in GCSE English and GCSE Mathematics.

3. To have met the requirements of the individual subjects that you intend to study at A Level/Level 3, which are all, with the exception of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Languages, a minimum of Grade 6 at GCSE on the Higher papers. This is essential.

An awareness of the elements of textile design, such as shape, line, scale, colour, texture, pattern, contrast and/or repetition in relation to the chosen area/s of Textile design. An in depth understanding of intended audience or purpose for a chosen area/s of Textile design and the ability to respond to an issue, concept or idea, working to a brief or answering a need in the chosen area/s of Textile design. A strong appreciation of the relationship of form and function and, where applicable, the constraints of working to a brief. The understanding of a variety of textile methods, such as: fabric printing, mono-printing, relief printing, screen printing and laser cutting; tie-dye and batik; spraying and transfer; fabric construction; stitching, appliqué, patchwork, padding, quilting and embroidery.

Students should produce practical and critical/contextual work in one or more areas of study, for example, fashion design, fashion textiles, costume design, digital textiles, printed and/or dyed fabrics and materials, domestic textiles, wallpaper, interior design, constructed textiles, art textiles and installed textiles.

Year 1

Advanced Skills project – Internally assessed

Component 1 – Personal Investigation (from Easter onwards)

60% of A Level

Work produced will be marked by the centre and moderated by AQA

Year 2

Continuation of Component 1 – Personal Investigation

Portfolio of work set and marked by the centre and moderated by AQA

60% of A Level

Component 2 – Externally Set Assignment

40% of A Level, Supervised time 15 hours

Work produced will be marked by the centre and moderated by AQA

Grade 6 in GCSE Textiles Art & Design or another Art based course (with portfolio and at Subject Leader’s discretion)

University requirements

Universities select students based on the quality of their applications, looking primarily at their portfolio of work and personal statements.

Also applicants are expected to have, or are expected to achieve: a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design; 1 GCE A Level; 3 GCSEs grade 6 or above

Links to Further Education

Design Engineering; Graphic Design; Design and Computing; Marketing; Interior Design; Fashion; Industrial Design; Multi-media Design and Computing; Fashion Design and Garment Technology

Links to Careers

Interior Design Industry; Textile Design Industry; Fashion Journalism; Graphic Designer; Teacher; Product Design; Technical industries; Design Engineer (including Science and Mathematics)