February 2026 Media update
Wed Feb 04 13:56:00 UTC 2026
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Welcome to your February Media update from your Subject Advisor.
We have recently launched the new MBP T-Level Facebook group
and the BTEC Tech Award Creative Media Facebook group.
These are private groups only for Pearson teachers.
Feel free to ask questions, share ideas and let the collaboration begin! 😊
Please click on the qualifications you teach below for any updates regarding key dates, resources and training.
If your centre needs to complete an Annual Programme Monitoring Review (APMR) for BTEC Higher Nationals, you’ll have received an email inviting you to take part
The deadline is 20 February 2026.
What’s the APMR?
The APMR is a mandatory part of quality assurance for Higher Nationals. It’s your chance to look back on the last academic year and share what’s working well — and what could work better. What you tell us matters. Your insights help strengthen programme quality and shape the guidance and support we offer to centres like yours.
Who needs to complete it?
You’ll need to complete an APMR if:
- Your centre delivered a Higher National programme last year, and
- It wasn’t your first year of delivery
The review should be completed by the person responsible for quality management at your centre.
Need a hand?
If you have questions or need support, we’re here to help.
Email us at HNQA@Pearson.com, or use the guidance link in your invitation email.
- May/June 2026 deadline entries for Tech Awards = 21 February 2026.
Late entries will be charged from 22 February, so make sure that you don't miss this deadline!
- BTEC Level 3 external units, the deadline for entries is 20 March 2026.
Throughout 2025/26, you’ll have access to a series of live online events and on-demand training designed especially for Exams Officers and new staff.
All sessions are hosted on the Development Hub. Your dedicated space for Exams Officer training.
Confirmed live events:
- Introduction into Pearson Progress – Thursday, February 12 2026 9am – 10am GMT – book your place
- Making Claims and Eligibility/Results – Wednesday, 24 June 2026 9am – 10am GMT – book your place
Events to Catch Up on:
- Intro To BTEC 2025/26 - Wednesday 8 October 2025
- Registrations & Amendments – Wednesday 15 October 2025
- Pearson Progress – Wednesday 19 November 2025
Visit our international exams officer training page to book onto an online event or watch a previously recorded event.
The provisional exam timetables for 2027 will be available on our provisional timetables web page from Monday 2 February. The feedback window will run until Friday 20 March.
Please send any feedback to timetables@pearson.com
View and give feedback on the 2027 provisional timetables
Get in touch with the Pearson BTEC Team
For support with existing BTEC qualifications, please use the Support Portal.
Check out our latest Teaching and Learning Skills videos on YouTube.
Our newest video covers Building Enduring Knowledge Through Desirable Difficulties.
In this video we discuss effortful, challenging learning - known as “desirable difficulties” - which builds enduring knowledge that is deeply embedded, flexible, and accessible over time. We discuss strategies such as spaced practice, interleaving, and retrieval-based activities helping learners retain and transfer knowledge across contexts.
This month’s blog is about Deliberate Practice: Unlocking Student Potential in BTEC Level 1 Intro Qualifications.
This blog post delves into what the practice of deliberate practice is and how it can be brought into the level 1 classroom in order to support students.
Join the BTEC level 1 Introductory, Entry Level and BTEC Workskills and BTEC personal growth and wellbeing to share best practice and to seek information about the courses on offer.
Join the BTEC Tech Award Media FACEBOOK GROUP.
This is a private group just for teachers of the Creative Media Production Tech Award qualification. This is a place to consult, share resources and teaching ideas/tips.
BTEC UK Key Dates and termtime checkpoints guide 2025/2026
Earlier release of PSAs:
Your BTEC Tech Award Pearson set assignments (PSAs) for the May/June 2026 series are now available to download from each Tech Award’s course materials page.
PSAs are now released three months earlier, giving you more time to plan, prepare, mark and upload assessments.
Read more about the earlier release of PSAs
Check out the Tech Award bitesize videos on YouTube. Here you will find tips on delivery, best practice and assessment.
Here you will find all the full training event recordings for the BTEC Tech Award (2022) in Creative Media Production on YouTube.
BTEC Tech Awards 2022: Support Index
Registration and Entry Deadlines
Previous Live Training:
Creative Media Production Marking and moderation for Component 1
We are committed to continuously improving the BTEC Tech Awards to give you and your students the best possible experience. The feedback we have received since launching the 2022 series has helped to shape real, practical improvements in line with standards set by the Department for Education.
End of academic year: BTEC Tech Award feedback
Sign up for future Tech Award (2022) updates
Training - Level 2 Planning for a T Level Provision
19 February 2026 at 15:00 - 16:30 GMT
Getting Started: Ways to Teach and Assess
Walkthough of the Level 2 Skills Qualification
| May/June Series | BTEC L3 Nationals and L2 Skills |
|---|---|
| 15 May 2026 | Deadline for Standards Verification sampling |
| 15 June 2026 | Deadline for Standards Verification additional sampling (if applicable) |
| 5 July 2026 | Deadline to submit results for certification on August results days |
| 5 August 2026 | Restricted release of results to centres |
| 13 August 2026 | Release of results to learners |
BTEC key dates and term-time checkpoints:
We recently published the BTEC key dates and term-time checkpoints for 2025/26.
While your exams officers will take the lead on most of these activities, your support will be important to help meet these deadlines, so it’s useful to be aware of what is required and when.
Find out more about term-time checkpoints
Explore our key dates and term-time checkpoint guide
Here are some helpful resources to help you plan this school year.
BTEC international key dates and termtime checkpoints 2025/26
Training - Introduction to Teaching the International BTEC Level 2 in Creative Media
11 February 2026 at 09:00 - 11:30 GMT
Training - Introduction to Teaching the International BTEC Level 3 in Creative Media
16 February 2026 at 09:00 - 11:30 GMT
Here are some helpful resources to help you plan this school year:
Here are some helpful resources to help you plan this school year:
| May/June Series | BTEC Higher Nationals |
|---|---|
| November 2025 - February 2026 |
Contact made with your EE |
| November 2025 - March 2026 |
Two assignment briefs sent to your EE for review |
| May - July 2026 | External Examination sampling - completed by 30 July |
| August 2026 | Students receive qualification |
We launched our new BTEC Higher Nationals qualifications for Art, Design and Media in September 2023 alongside our existing qualifications. Our aim is to give you more flexibility and scope when designing your curriculum so we hope you enjoy our new titles.
Resources for these qualifications can be accessed through HN Global.
Join the T-Level Media FACEBOOK GROUP.
This is a private group just for teachers of the Media, Broadcast and Production T-Level qualification. This is a place to consult, share resources and teaching ideas/tips.
Training - Pearson Support Offer for T Levels
03 February 2026 at 15:00 - 16:30 GMT
Taining - T-Levels: Planning the Work Placement
09 February 2026 at 15:00 - 16:30 GMT
Training - How ETF Can Help Support Your T Level Journey
16 February 2026 at 15:00 - 16:30 GMT
Training - How Gatsby Can Help Support Your T Level Journey
23 February 2026 at 15:00 - 16:30 GMT
T Level Autumn 2025 Exam Timetable
Catch up on all the T Level news:
We send out a monthly newsletter to all T Level providers.
Are you missing out on these updates? Make sure you receive the latest news and updates about T Levels directly to your inbox by signing up.
ScreenSkills has many training opportunities available and elearning options which can enhance your media knowledge.
Thank you!
I hope you found this update useful. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me and the team using the contact details below.
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