Textiles

Applications Open: Thursday, 27th November 2025 from 5pm.

Applications Close: Friday, 13th February 2026.

Entry requirements: • All students must gain 5 passes at Grade 4 or above at GCSE (or the equivalent for vocational qualifications) including a pass in English and / or Maths.

How to apply:

Internal Students - please use the schools internal system: https://www.studentoptions.co/sixthform/

External Students - please use KentChoices. Log in to get started here.

Before starting A-Level Textile Design, consider:

• Creative exploration: A passion for working with fabric and a desire to explore a range of textile techniques.

• Attention to detail: Precision and craftsmanship are essential, whether designing garments or creating textile art.

• Independent working: Much of the course is project-based, requiring strong self-motivation and the ability to manage time effectively.

In Textile Design, you will explore the artistic and functional potential of textiles and fabric-based materials through various techniques, including:

• Surface Decoration: Learn techniques such as embroidery, appliqué, printing, and dyeing to enhance fabric surfaces.

• Fashion and Costume Design: Explore garment construction, pattern cutting, and textile design for fashion or theatrical purposes.

• Constructed Textiles: Experiment with weaving, knitting, or felting to create textile-based art or products.

• Digital Textiles: Use digital technology such as laser cutting and fabric printing to explore contemporary textile design.

• Critical Analysis: Study the work of both traditional and contemporary textile artists, designers, and fashion houses to inform your own practice. The course focuses on both technical skills and creative exploration, allowing you to create innovative textile outcomes. Your personal portfolio will reflect your experimentation and technical development across various textile processes.

• Component 1: Personal Investigation (60%) Develop a portfolio of textile work based on a selfdirected project, including:

- Practical work: A collection of textile samples, designs, and final pieces responding to a chosen theme or subject.

- Written study: A contextual study (1000–3000 words) analysing the connections between your practical work and relevant artists or textile designers.

• Component 2: Externally Set Assignment (40%)

- Choose from one of the eight starting points provided by AQA and develop preparatory work, culminating in a final textile piece created during a 15-hour supervised assessment.

Grade 4 in Art Subject OR submission of a portfolio if new to the subject.

A-Level Textile Design offers a pathway to:

• Further study: Degrees in Fashion Design, Textile Design, Costume Design, Surface Pattern Design, or Textile Art.

• Careers: Opportunities in fashion design, interior design, fabric production, costume design for theatre and film, and freelance textile art.