TGt Meets...Kate Gale, Course Co-ordinator for A level Textiles, Fashion & Vocational Level 3 Creative Practice in Textiles, Fashion, Costume & Interiors at New College

Meet our latest tgt meets...Kate Gale, Course Co-ordinator for A level Textiles & Fashion and Vocational Level 3 Creative Practice in Textiles & Fashion, Costume & Interiors at New College.

Tell us a little bit about yourself...

Have more grey hairs showing than I would like since lockdown! Have taught FE&HE for twenty years. I would love to live by the sea but enjoy living in the countryside and walking my dog Lettie. My morning walk always concludes with a good cup of coffee and a slice of delicious cake.

Describe your job role in one sentence…

My role as a lecturer entails many things: educator, motivator, creator, instructor, mother, cleaner, assessor to name just a few. At this time of year, I’m also very involved with setting up end of year exhibitions and the organising of our Fashion Show.

What inspired you to become a teacher?

I fell into teaching, without initially setting out to become a teacher. After graduating I set up as a weaver. Whilst doing my own work, I was approached by an old tutor from Winchester School of Art to come back and teach for a term. I really enjoyed the whole experience and this carried on for a few years, teaching at other HE institutions as well continuing my own business. After covering a couple of maternity leaves for Karen at New College and gaining my PGCE, I was given the opportunity of a full time position at college and as you can see I’m still here!

What is your favourite part of the curriculum?

After delivering a wide range of workshops to our students, it is always great to see them producing their final outcomes.

Who would you say has been the most influential person in your field?

Wallace & Sewell, a weaving duo who have their own design company. In my second year of my degree course they came and set a live project, which was a great experience.

What are the key modules that are studied?

There are two key units for the A level. The personal investigation unit and the controlled assessment unit. For both units students work to a chosen theme and develop a body of work.

We are running for the first time next year a vocational level 3 Creative Practice in Textiles, Fashion, Costume & Interiors. This is a very practical hands on course with live briefs and scenarios.

What advice would you give to students who are interested in joining your course?

Be willing and not afraid to draw, we can all make marks! To have an openness, inquisitiveness and eagerness to explore, investigate and play with a range of media, materials and textile processes.

Who is the course well suited to?

Anyone who loves art and textiles, surface decoration and pattern. We cover a wide range of techniques, such as embroidery, applique, sublimation and silk screen printing, weaving and fabric manipulation to name just a few. It is wonderful that our course always attracts students of all ages. It is always enriching to have a class that is predominately made up of 16-18 year olds with adult infill. The oldest student we taught was nearing 80, but this year we had two ladies in their late sixties who have just completed the A level!

If you were hosting a dinner party and had to invite 3 people from any point in time, dead or alive, who would you invite?

Zandra Rhodes, Agatha Christie and Coco Channel.

What are the progression options for those who take this course?

Most of our students progress onto HE. Many continue with us at New College to take the Foundation Diploma in Art and Design. This is an invaluable one year course where students get a taste of all art disciplines before deciding which one to specialise in at degree level. We also offer an HND in Textiles, this again is an excellent course that I’m sure Karen has told you all about!

Find out more about New College HERE!