We offer GCSE Design and Technology Textiles for students at Bideford College. Students have the opportunity to learn new exciting techniques including – silk painting, stencilling, printing, embroidery, quilting, embellishment etc.

Our awarding body for the GCSE we offer is AQA and each students GCSE is made up of the following:

Written Paper (2 hour exam) 120 marks,  40% of the total marks
One paper with two sections:
Section A: A design question based on context supplied before the exam
30 marks
Section B: Covers all aspects of the specification content 90 marks
All questions are compulsory.

Theory lessons throughout years 10 and 11 help students to gain the knowledge and understanding of textiles for the exam, including fibres and fabrics, industrial practice, smart materials, product analysis and designing for specific briefs.

Controlled Assessment (Design and Make Coursework) 90 marks, 60% of the total marks.
A single design-and-make activity selected from a choice of set tasks, consisting of the development of a made outcome and a concise design folder and/or appropriate ICT evidence. These tasks are reviewed every two years.
The design folder should consist of approximately:
• 20 pages of A3 paper
• equivalent A4 paper
• or the ICT equivalent.
It is expected that students should spend approximately 45 hours on this activity. As part of the evidence submitted, students should include photographs of the finished products as well as photographs at various stages of the process.

The specification for the AQA Textiles GCSE can be found here – AQA GCSE Specification. It features the mark scheme for the Controlled Assessment part of the GCSE as well as a list of all the theory information you will learn about.