Fashion and Textiles

Sandbach College

Why study this course?

This thought-provoking course provides a unique opportunity for you to utilise your creativity to solve real world problems. Developing your skills and theoretical knowledge of fashion and textiles in order to translate your ideas into useful and purposeful products. The unique combination of creativity, technicality along with practicality, will equip you with broad range of skills which are highly sort after by employers and universities a like. You will enjoy time in a well-resourced department which offers industry standard CAD software, computerised machinery and much more. You will have the opportunity to enter national competitions and gain real life experience through our extensive industry links. There will be opportunities to experience trade fairs, visit galleries and undertake trips nationally and internationally to further expand your research and design skills. We offer a supportive and forward-thinking environment, to allow you to thrive and succeed.

Sandbach College at Sandbach High School Entry Requirements

We ask that all students achieve grade 4 or equivalent (a Level 2 pass) in at least 4 subjects, alongside the following subject specific entry requirements:

Grade 4 in GCSE Textiles

Grade 4 in GCSE English

What will I learn on this course?

You will explore the impact fashion and textiles has had on society, examining historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic influences. Whilst also investigating the role it will have in the future through trend prediction, research into technological advancements and your own personal design work. You will enjoy many opportunities to put your learning into practice by manufacturing products of your choice. You will gain a real understanding of the contemporary fashion and textiles industry, experiencing what it means to be a designer and an innovator. You will develop your independence, resilience and critical thinking skills through managing your own self-directed projects and working with an iterative approach. You will develop a broad range of design communication skills, from sketching techniques, moulage modelling and computer aided design. You will hone your presentation skills and learn how to use a wide variety of technical equipment including computer aided manufacturing facilities. You will be encouraged to experiment, evolve your ideas and to take design risks.

Examinations & Coursework

2 examination papers (50% of the A level)

Assessed coursework (50% of the A level)

Exam paper 1

Core technical principles, Written exam: 2 .5 hours : 120 marks

30% A level

Exam Paper 2

Design & Making principles, 1.5 hours : 80 marks

20% A level

NEA (non-exam assessment)

Single research, design, make and evaluate project : 100 marks

50% of A level

Evidence: Written or digital design portfolio and photographic evidence of final prototype.

Potential career paths

This course provides the perfect platform for those with wide reaching ambitions. Directly supporting progression into higher education and the creative industries. With the fashion and textiles sector being worth £26 billion and growth projected at 3.9% per year the sector will require many creative individuals who are capable of innovative thinking. Careers within the creative industries are broad and varied, for those who thrive in design options include fashion, print or costume designers. Those who are interested in business or marketing could go on to be buyers, social media managers or fashion journalists. This course also covers technical aspects so for those wanting to see how their skills in science or maths can be translated into the world this is a great option. Fashion merchandisers for instance need a keen eye for numbers whilst fabric developers and innovators are solving the worlds sustainability issues with incredible new technologies.