A-LEVEL TEXTILES

The Textiles A-Level at d’Overbroeck’s is a creative but demanding course. Its emphasis is on Fine Art constructed textiles with a wearable, interior or expressive textile outcome. It involves both practical work and critical appreciation.

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WHAT IS A-LEVEL TEXTILES?

At d’Overbroeck’s Sixth Form, we have a dynamic and individual-centred approach to Textiles A-Level – one that emphasises flexibility and creativity. Although technique is a vital element of the course, we are above all interested in allowing you to develop your own voice; your own artistic style and opinions.

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WHERE YOU'LL STUDY

Brand new for September 2021, our new Arts Centre site is located within 10 minutes’ walk of our main Sixth Form centre in the bustling community of Summertown. Situated in a modern and creative suburb of Oxford, the d’Overbroeck’s Arts Centre is a stone’s throw away from the city’s wide variety of world-famous galleries and art museums to get you inspired.

The stunning new open art spaces enable more room for collaboration, exhibition and display opportunities, as well as ambitious project work, both in terms of size and complexity.

At our Arts Centre, you’ll have access to specialist studios and state-of-the-art facilities for:

3D Art
Ceramics
Fine Art
Photography
Textiles

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WHAT YOU'LL DO

First Year
In the first term, you will work begin by exploring artwork for Textiles including Drawing and Mark Making. You will then have the opportunity to extend your skills.

Textile techniques including; machine embroidery, embellishing, pleating, silkscreen and block printing, dyeing and scorching.

In addition, you will explore the formal elements of scale and proportion and the manipulation of fabrics. You are taught how to layout sketchbooks through a selection and refining process and how to develop and capture your own ideas through recording techniques and analysing samples. Textile students’ work is placed in a wider context by studying Fine art and Textile practitioners, learning from their styles and techniques.

Second Year
In the first term students work on a coursework project of their choice; in the second and third terms, they focus on their final exam project.

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WHOM DOES THIS SUBJECT SUIT?

If you are already aiming to apply to Art school or work as a Textile designer, you are likely to already be interested in – and suited to – Textile A-Level. You will find that the course offers plenty of opportunities to hone your skills and develop as a practitioner.

The course is not, however, solely suitable for aspiring career artists/designers; it could make an excellent addition to your A-Level programme, whatever your ambitions may be. Textiles may broaden the scope of an otherwise primarily essay-based or scientific selection of subjects.

Your Textiles GCSE grade is probably the best indication of your ability to pursue the A-Level, but most importantly, studying Textiles at this level requires a type of student who can engage well with the subject and who is capable and keen to be working outside their normal timetable.

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What might the subject lead to?

Students frequently go on to take up places on foundation courses at top UK Art schools. In recent years, for instance, students have been offered places at the University of Arts, London Colleges such as Central St Martins. We also provide expert advice in portfolio preparation.