Carlee Textiles

60 Seconds with Mrs Smith, Head of Textiles

Tell us a bit about yourself... I was born in Pembrokeshire, Wales, and developed an early interest in fashion and textiles. I completed a BTEC in Fashion and Textiles, followed by a degree in Fashion and Textiles, before gaining my PGCE in Cardiff. I began my teaching career in Kent in 2008 and joined Kent College in 2012, where I became Head of Textiles in 2013. I am passionate about supporting students in transforming ideas into meaningful outcomes. In my role, I encourage creativity, resilience, and problem-solving through hands-on, practical learning. My interests include sustainable fashion, surface design, and helping students understand how textiles connects to real-world industries and everyday life. My aim is to help students work with purpose and aspire to achieve their full creative potential.


What do you enjoy most about teaching?

My favourite aspect of teaching textiles is seeing students grow in confidence, from making their first stitch to completing a final piece they are truly proud of. Watching students realise that their ideas have value, and that challenges can be overcome through perseverance, strongly reflects our ethos of working with purpose and encouraging students to aspire beyond what they thought was possible.

What top advice would you give to students studying your subject?

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, they are an essential part of the design process. Use every project as an opportunity to experiment, reflect, and improve. Work with purpose, take creative risks, and always aspire to push your skills a little further each time. Inspiration can be found anywhere.

What are the department highlights and upcoming events?

The Textiles Department is proud of the creativity, commitment, and ambition shown by students across all year groups. Highlights include student exhibitions, collaborative projects, and a strong focus on sustainable and purposeful design. Upcoming events include student showcases, enrichment workshops, and opportunities to explore textiles beyond the classroom. These experiences are designed to help students aspire to future pathways in the creative industries while developing valuable skills for life. As a department, we are excited to be co-ordinating the costumes for the school production of ‘Anything Goes’ and we look forward to receiving entries for our national competition Young Fashion Designer UK 2026. www.youngfashiondesigneruk.com

Mrs Payne's Reflections

A journey to unlocking potential for all, girls and boys