GCSE Textiles Rescue

In 2012 the D&T Association developed the GCSE Textiles Rescue programme, sponsored by the All Saints Educational Trust. The programme included national and regional workshops and on-line seminars for textiles teachers aiming to improve Textiles Technology GCSE results.
Presentations from the six seminars have been fully revised by Julie Messenger and updated in 2014 and are available for download. They include edited recordings from the events.

Please note: these resources refer to the previous GCSE specification and not the current D&T GCSE.

On-line Seminars

Top tips for planning your GCSE scheme of work – Julie Messenger
Improving your class grades in controlled assessment – Julie Boyd
Improving your class grades in the final examination – Julie Boyd, with narration by Julie Messenger
Making GCSE learning active and engaging – Heidi Ambrose Brown, with narration by Julie Messenger
Using new technologies to improve GCSE grades – Heidi Ambrose Brown
Reviewing the best resources to use in teaching GCSE – Julie Messenger

GCSE Textiles Rescue in 2014

The programme has continued during 2013 and 2014. Further training of textiles teachers covering integrating CAD/CAM and Electronics in Textiles has been delivered by Heidi Ambrose-Brown and the presentation and edited recording of the session is now available.

A number of instructional videos have also been developed by Julie Boyd showing a range of practical skills students can develop to improve their results.

Skills videos

New skills videos

To view these videos please click on the relevant video, or alterantively you can download them via the Resource Shop onto your PC or Mac and they will play in Windows Media Player, or you can drag the file into Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox browsers, or play them using VLC VideoLan media player (free download).

Subtraction pattern cutting

Following a workshop training session for 10 teachers held at the end of 2014, two videos of the event are now available. The first introduces subtraction cutting, how it fits into the curriculum and why it can help get your students good grades, including examples of the process. The second video follows the process in the workshop with detailed guidance on how this process works and why it can prove valuable. Go to D&TTV to watch these videos.

Course Presenters

The Association staff on this programme include:
Louise T Davies joined the Association as Deputy Chief Executive after six years at QCA, advising DfE on the D&T national curriculum and nationally on curriculum and assessment issues. She has published over 40 D&T textbooks and speaks at national and international conferences and runs numerous courses for teachers. Louise is currently working with the Association as its lead food technology consultant.

Heidi Ambrose Brown is a textile consultant working with teachers and students to deliver projects that use modern technology with textile techniques and processes. She has taught all D&T specialisms at KS3 and delivered textiles at GCSE and A Level. Heidi delivers courses on Speed Step, STEM and CAD/CAM in textiles, and integration of electronics into textile products. As a regular contributor to a variety of textile resources, Heidi has written the D&T Association’s 'Get Organised', 'Engineering Elegance' and two o 'D&T STEM careers resources' for textiles.

Julie Boyd is an education consultant specialising in D&T, teaching and learning and coaching. She has 25 years teaching experience and was awarded a Guardian Teacher of the Year Award as well as a D&T Association leadership award. She has worked as a moderator and examiner for AQA and is the author of a range of textiles resources. Julie has a particular interest in addressing gender stereotypes in textiles as well as in supporting others to create a relevant and contemporary curriculum with high quality, innovative teaching and learning.

Julie Messenger has been a D&T learning advisor and has managed the STEMPOINT contract for Northamptonshire. She was a head of department and advanced skills textiles teacher and was recognised by the DfE for greatly improving GCSE grades across her department and has received the D&T Association’s award for teacher training. Julie delivers textile training, working in partnership with the D&T Association and other training organisations. She co-authored books with a focus on textiles technology, including for the Folens Specials series.

This programme is sponsored by the All Saints Educational Trust

All Saints Educational Trust
Suite 2.13
1 Fetter Lane
London
EC4A 1BR

Join Now

Design and Technology (D&T) is the inspiring, rigorous and practical subject which prepares all young people to live and work in the designed and made world.

We are focused on giving you the tools, knowledge and information you need to become more effective, more experienced and more efficient. Giving you access to expert opinions. And creating a place where you can air your views, ask your questions and so help make a difference to your life and those of your pupils. We want to hear from you. We want to know how we can help. And we want you to join us.

Join now Learn more