Welcome to the March 2026 update from your Subject Advisor
This month’s update brings together the latest news, key reminders, and practical support across our Art qualifications, to help you plan with confidence and keep creativity at the heart of your classroom.
To view the latest updates for your qualification, just click the section that matches what you teach.
The entry deadline for international centres for the May/June 2026 exam series closes on 21 March 2026.
Late entries will be charged from 22 March - make sure that you don't miss this deadline.
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
Pearson has partnered with the UCL Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), to look at how neurotypical and neurodivergent (e.g. those who are autistic/have ADHD) students answer GCSE exam questions.
We hope this will allow us to make our exams more accessible for all students.
We would be very grateful if centres would consider taking part in the next phase of this very important project.
| Date | GCSE and A Level Art and Design |
|---|---|
| 2 January 2026 | Release of the GCSE Component 2 externally set assignment (ESA) |
| 1 February 2026 | Release of the A Level Component 2 externally set assignment (ESA) |
| 21 February 2026 | Deadline for entries - late entry fees after this date (international centre entry deadline is 21 March) |
| 15 May 2026 | Start of moderator visits |
| 48 hours prior to moderation visit |
Marks submitted on Edexcel Online for visiting moderation |
| 31 May 2026 | International centres only: Marks submitted on Edexcel Online for digital moderation Sampled work submitted on Learner Work Transfer |
| 26 June 2026 | End of moderator visits |
| 13 August 2026 | A Level Results day |
| 20 August 2026 | GCSE Results day |
Do you teach GCSE or A level Art and Design?
Then this group was made for you. It’s a friendly, professional space where you can share ideas, swap tips, and ask those everyday teaching questions.
Whether you're after inspiration or support, this is a great place to collaborate with others and get the latest news.
Following the Curriculum and Assessment Review, we’re inviting GCSE Art & Design teachers to take part in a discussion about what the qualification should look like next.
Are you looking to strengthen your understanding of the assessment objectives and improve consistency of your internal marking?
This free online coursework marking training supports confident application of the assessment grids for Components 1 and 2.
Work through the content at your own pace and revisit key guidance as needed.
How can digital tools transform creativity in Photography?
Watch this recording from our training event, delivered by our credible specialist in Photography.
The training covers how digital tools can enhance creativity and support student progress in Photography, exploring:
Whether you're new to digital workflows or looking to refine your approach, this session will offer hands-on ideas, real classroom examples, and time-saving tips to help you confidently bring Photography into the digital age.
As centres draw nearer to the 10-/15-hour period of sustained focus under exam conditions, these resources will be helpful.
Art UK created a resource that supports teachers and students by linking the Art & Design Component 2 themes to curated artworks from their free database for quick, focused inspiration.
And you can even create your own curations for free to support your students!
To support centres with the JCQ requirement to inform candidates of their centre-assessed marks, we have created guidance which explains the process and outlines resources you can use to support.
For May/June 2026, your moderation sample will be confirmed once your marks have been formally submitted, and the sample will now always include the highest and lowest marked candidates.
For subject-specific guidance, please see our support article that outlines key information for each qualification.
Explore the new exemplars shared during this year’s face‑to‑face GCSE and A level Art and Design training.
The exemplars will be added to the Exemplar Galleries over the coming months. Until then, you can access them through these face‑to‑face training packs to support confident delivery and accurate assessment.
| Date | International GCSE Art and Design |
|---|---|
| 2 January 2026 | Online release of the Component 2 externally set assignment (ESA) |
| 21 March 2026 | Deadline for entries - late entry fees after this date |
| 31 May 2026 | All work submitted digitally on Learner Work Transfer for external assessment |
| 20 August 2026 | International GCSE Results day |
Do you teach International GCSE Art and Design?
Then this group was made for you. It’s a friendly, professional space where you can share ideas, swap tips, and ask those everyday teaching questions.
Whether you're after inspiration or support, this is a great place to collaborate with others and get the latest news.
Upcoming live events include:
Watch the recordings of our Getting Ready to Teach Module 1 and 2 events.
Module 1 focuses on teaching the course and will give you an understanding of the content of the qualification and how to cover it, course/lesson planning, understanding the assessment and preparing students for it, and a brief overview of support from Pearson available to teachers.
Module 2 will give you an understanding of how the content is assessed by reviewing the assessment objectives and mark schemes, practise applying the mark schemes using exemplar student work, as well as an understanding of how marks were determined.
How can digital tools transform creativity in Photography?
Watch this recording from our training event, delivered by our credible specialist in Photography.
The training covers how digital tools can enhance creativity and support student progress in Photography, exploring:
Whether you're new to digital workflows or looking to refine your approach, this session will offer hands-on ideas, real classroom examples, and time-saving tips to help you confidently bring Photography into the digital age.
As centres draw nearer to the 10-hour period of sustained focus under exam conditions, these resources will be helpful.
| Date | A Level History of Art |
|---|---|
| 21 February 2026 | Deadline for entries - late entry fees after this date |
| 18 May 2026 | Paper 1: Visual analysis and themes (PM) |
| 2 June 2026 | Paper 2: Periods (AM) |
| 13 August 2026 | A Level Results day |
Watch the recordings from our Paper 1 and Paper 2 training events to support your exam preparation.
What’s on in art history?
Looking for talks, conferences or online events to spark new thinking?
The Association for Art History's calendar brings together art history events from across the UK and beyond – from free webinars and public lectures to research seminars and career-focused sessions.
It’s open to everyone, whether you’re studying, teaching, researching, or simply curious. New events are added regularly, so it’s a great place to stay connected to the wider art history community.
Explore upcoming events from the Association for Art History
The latest episode of The Pre‑Raphaelite Society Podcast welcomes Dr Alex Round, who discusses her PhD research and reflects on the idea of “sisterhood” in Pre‑Raphaelite studies. The conversation celebrates women’s networks in art history and offers thoughtful advice for anyone considering doctoral research.
Applications are now open for a free Art History HPQ for state school students in Years 9–10, taught by Art History Link‑Up at The Courtauld, Somerset House.
Students explore art through history, develop independent research skills, and gain a qualification worth up to half a GCSE. Sessions run on Sundays from 19 April to 28 June.
Application deadline: 1 April
| May/June Series | BTEC Tech Award Art and Design Practice |
|---|---|
| 12 January 2026 | Release of Component 2 externally assessed task |
| 21 February 2026 | Deadline for Component 1 and 2 entries - late entry fees after this date |
| 1 April 2026 | Start of moderator visits |
| 13 April 2026 | Learner Work Transfer (LWT) available |
| 15 May 2026 | Deadline to upload Component 2 work on LWT for external assessment |
| 48 hours prior to moderation visit | Deadline to submit Component 1 marks on Edexcel Online for visiting moderation |
| 15 June 2025 | End of moderator visits |
| 26 June 2022 | Deadline for amending marks following moderator feedback where necessary for internal assessments (optional) |
| 14 August 2026 | Restricted release of results to centres |
| 20 August 2026 | Release of results to learners |
| May/June Series | BTEC L3 Nationals and L2 Skills |
|---|---|
| 20 March 2026 | Deadline for June 2026 entries of Units 1, 2, 6, and 7 for BTEC L3 Nationals in Art and Design (2016) - late entry fees after this date |
| 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 |
| May/June Series | BTEC International |
|---|---|
| within 60 days of enrolment at the centre | Deadline for registrations - late registration fees after this date |
| June 2025 | Release of Pearson-set Assignments (PSA) - valid for 1 year after publish date |
| 5 July 2026 | Deadline to submit results for certification on August results days (ie. for learners applying to HEIs via UCAS) |
| Immediately after completion | Deadline to submit results for certification for non-UK-academic year programmes |
| 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 |
All externally assessed units and components will be available on the relevant qualification Secure Tests site on the dates outlined in the Key Dates section.
Please note that these materials are gold padlocked secure materials so can only be downloaded by Exams Officers.
The BTEC International Level 2 suite of Art and Design qualifications has been extended, meaning you can continue delivering the qualifications you know with confidence.
The following qualifications now have a final registration date of 31 August 2030 and a final certification date of 31 August 2033:
Do you teach BTEC Tech Award Art and Design Practice?
Then check out our new Facebook group, a friendly, professional space where you can share ideas, swap tips, and ask those everyday teaching questions.
Whether you're after inspiration or support, this is a great place to collaborate with others and get the latest news.
For Summer 2026, your moderation sample will be confirmed once your marks have been formally submitted, and the sample will now always include the highest and lowest marked candidates.
For subject-specific guidance, please see our support article that outlines key information for each qualification.
Stay up to date with the latest news for BTEC qualifications.
This termly T Level Network Event is for existing providers of Pearson T Levels or those who are planning to offer any Pearson T Level in the future. We will cover updates and changes for academic year 2026/27 and beyond, guidance for delivery and assessment.
There will be an opportunity to network with other providers, share best practice for delivery and curriculum planning, and to ask questions of Pearson Product Managers whether you have general T Level or sector-specific queries, e.g. related to delivery, assessment or specifications.
This session will give a full overview of the moderation process for the Occupational Specialisms (OS) for Media, Broadcast & Production and Craft & Design. The live session will take you through:
The session will also include a Q& A where you can put your questions to the experts for further support.
All materials for the externally set tasks will be available on the relevant qualification Secure Tests site on the dates outlined in the Key Dates section.
Please note that these materials are gold padlocked secure materials so can only be downloaded by Exams Officers.
Check out the latest updates on T Levels and sign up for future updates.
March is Women’s History Month and, in celebration, this Art Fund resource highlights exhibitions across the UK that put women’s stories centre stage.
It’s a rich starting point for exploring women’s creativity, influence, and lived experiences through museum and gallery collections.
Join Art UKs 10th birthday art competition!
Art UK is celebrating by inviting schools and families to get creative. Ask your learners to create an artwork on the theme of a ‘10th Birthday’ and share it for the chance to win a special prize.
Entries close 9am on 27 March.
Do you know a young person who loves art and enjoys writing?
Take part in Write on Art, the national writing programme by Art UK and Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art for young people (13–19 years old).
Twelve successful applicants will be invited to attend a day-long Young Art Writers Workshop at Royal College of Art in Autumn 2026 and have their work published.
Young people are invited to write 400–600 words about an artwork of their choice on Art UK’s website.
Applications close 10 am on 21 July.
Choose from one of three categories:
✍️ Creative writing – an imaginative and expressive response to an artwork
💬 Review – a critical commentary about an artwork or installation
📝 Essay – a critical analysis of an artwork supported by evidence
I hope you found this update useful. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch using the contact details below.
You can also sign up to get these Subject Advisor updates straight to your inbox every month.
