Richmond School
School Departments | Textiles
KS3
Year 7 – The design process and basic textile manufacturing skills are taught and developed through the design, development and manufacture of a “Pet Pillow”. Students take inspiration from the animal world and model their ideas before producing their very own Pet Pillow design.
Year 8 – New ideas for travel games are designed and made. This task offers students the opportunity to consolidate practical skills and perfect sewing machine control. Students make good use of ICT in the generation of ideas and production of rules and instructions. Dyeing and a variety of other fabric enhancement techniques are also explored.
Year 9 – Creative skills, appreciation of colour, style, modern textiles and CAD/ CAM are developed through the design and manufacture of a hat. ICT is used throughout the design process to enable students to work towards the production of a quality textile product. Environmental issues relating to textile production are also explored. Student skill in responding to a design brief is also tested through a fashion drawing task.
KS4
GCSE – Year 10
During this course students gain an understanding of the design process and a variety of textile materials. In Year 10 students continue to develop the manufacturing and fabric enhancement skills that will help to support their major coursework project which they complete in Year 11. The course includes projects such as:
• Designing and making a “T” shirt suitable to be sold in a leading high street fashion store
• Development of innovative sock designs with a focus on fabric properties and construction methods as well as SMART and technical textiles
• Use of industrial block patterns to develop and manufacture bag designs
Each module in Year 10 delivers part of the examination specification and part of the design process.
All projects will also provide an opportunity to use CAD/ CAM facilities and fashion illustration techniques.
Year 11 focuses on a coursework project worth 60% of the final GCSE grade. The choice of projects is varied and includes briefs based on clothing and accessories or textile furnishings.
A Level
The exciting and innovative content of this course encourages students to appreciate the complex relations between design, materials, manufacturing and marketing.
The course provides wide opportunities ranging from fashion and aesthetics to industrial uses of textiles and from creative and individual work to aspects of manufacturing, industrial and commercial practice.
Practical work provides a platform to demonstrate skills in design realisation and encourages the exploration of practical application of processing methods appropriate to the products being designed and made.
AS Year
Section A: Materials and Components – tested by a 1½ hour written paper
Section B: Design and Market Influences – tested by two design and make projects, each of which is allocated 25 hours
Section C: Processes and Manufacture – tested by a 1½ hour written and design paper that also assesses design and market influences
A2 Year
Section A: Materials and Components – tested by Product Study over 25 hours
Section B: Design and Market Influences – tested by design and make project over 50 hours. Further study of development of technologies, design and marketing functions
Section C: Process and Manufacture – further study of industrial and commercial practice
Assessment also takes the form of a synoptic 3 hour written paper.
Students will be encouraged to make links within the industry to aid the development of work in coursework tasks. Career opportunities may be in fibre and fabric development, product development, design, manufacturing, retailing (buying, merchandising and managing) and education. Students who have an interest and flair for all aspects of textiles will find this course a stimulating and rewarding experience. The course offers successful students the keys to an innovative and exciting industry and provides a sound knowledge of commercial practices.
Contact information
Mrs J Drake - JDrake@richmondschool.net or by phone (01748) 850111
Miss G Adamson - GAdamson@richmondschool.net
Mrs J Nicholson - JNicholson@richmondschool.net
Mrs C Dawson - CarolineDawson@richmondschool.net
Mrs A Wilson - AnWilson@richmondschool.net