Fashion and Textiles

Subject Overview

From September 2025, Stonyhurst will offer Textile Design as a new subject at both GCSE and A Level, further enriching our creative curriculum. This exciting addition forms part of our wider Art & Design expansion, giving pupils the opportunity to explore textile practice within a state-of-the-art environment.

Our newly developed Design and Technology spaces are equipped with industry-standard resources, enabling pupils to experiment with embroidery, fabric manipulation, digital design, fashion, interior textiles, and more. Pupils will investigate the work of historical and contemporary designers while developing their own ideas, culminating in personal projects that combine creativity, technical skill, and innovation.

Whether studying at GCSE or A Level, pupils will benefit from specialist teaching, personalised support, and cutting-edge facilities that nurture artistic expression and prepare them for future study or careers in fashion, design, interiors, and the wider creative industries.

Fashion & Apparel – fashion designer, pattern cutter, garment technologist, textile designer for fashion houses.
Textile & Surface Design – printed, woven, or knitted textiles designer; embroidery and embellishment specialist.
Costume & Theatre – costume designer, wardrobe supervisor, fabric dyer/painter for film, TV, or theatre.
Interiors & Lifestyle – interior textiles designer, wallpaper/surface pattern designer, soft furnishings designer, homeware and lifestyle product developer.
Digital & Innovation – CAD textile designer, smart textiles developer, sustainable materials innovator.
Textile Art & Curation – installation artist, textile-based fine artist, gallery or museum curator.
Product & Industrial Design – technical textile specialist (e.g. sportswear, aerospace, automotive fabrics).
Education & Research – art/textiles teacher, lecturer, textile researcher.
Business & Marketing – fashion buyer, product developer, trend forecaster, textile merchandiser.

GCSE (Years 10 & 11)

GCSE Textile Design at Stonyhurst

At GCSE, pupils complete coursework projects exploring artists, designers, and techniques while experimenting with woven, knitted, stitched, printed, and decorative textiles for both functional and non-functional purposes. They study historical and contemporary influences and develop projects within social, ethical, political, environmental, and cultural contexts.

Pupils may specialise in areas such as art textiles, fashion design, costume, constructed textiles, printed and dyed fabrics, surface pattern, soft furnishings, interiors, digital textiles, or installation.

Assessment

The AQA GCSE Art and Design (Textile Design) course (8204) is assessed through:

Component 1: Portfolio (Coursework) – 60%
Completed in Grammar and Syntax. Pupils complete two projects using techniques such as embroidery, fabric manipulation, surface pattern, and garment construction.
Component 2: Externally Set Assignment (Exam) – 40%
Completed in Syntax (April). Pupils select a starting point set by AQA, producing preparatory work and a final outcome under exam conditions.

Assessment Objectives

Both components are assessed against four objectives (each 25%):

AO1: Develop ideas through investigations, showing critical understanding of sources.
AO2: Refine work through exploration and experimentation.
AO3: Record ideas, observations, and insights relevant to intentions.
AO4: Present a personal and meaningful response that demonstrates visual understanding.

A Level (Sixth Form)

A Level Textile Design at Stonyhurst

Building on GCSE Art, A Level Textile Design offers greater independence and creative freedom. Pupils develop their portfolios around a self-chosen theme, exploring a wide range of media and techniques.

The course nurtures creativity through embroidery, surface pattern, illustration, fabric manipulation, weave, knit, and digital practices. Pupils may specialise in areas such as fashion and costume design, digital or printed textiles, interior design, constructed and art textiles. Themes often explore identity, the natural world, a sense of place, and the continuum of past, present, and future. Personalised guidance supports each pupil in refining their strengths and developing their artistic voice.

Assessment

The AQA A Level Art and Design (Textile Design) course (7204) is assessed through two components:

Component 1: Personal Investigation (Coursework) – 60%
Completed during Poetry and Rhetoric. A practical investigation into an idea, concept, or theme, supported by a portfolio and a written essay (1,000–3,000 words).
Component 2: Externally Set Assignment (Exam) – 40%
Completed in Rhetoric (April). Pupils respond to an AQA brief, producing preparatory work and a final outcome under exam conditions.

Both components are assessed against four Assessment Objectives (25% each):

AO1: Develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations.
AO2: Explore and select appropriate resources, materials, techniques, and processes.
AO3: Record ideas, observations, and insights, reflecting critically on progress.
AO4: Present a personal and meaningful response that connects visual and other elements.

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Fashion and Textiles

Subject Overview

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