Welcome to the May 2026 update from your Subject Advisor
This month we’re highlighting key resources and guidance across our Art qualifications to support you through internal assessment and standardisation, moderation, and external assessment submissions.
To view the latest updates for your qualification, just click the section that matches what you teach.
We recognise that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to have a very real impact on students, families and centres.
Our dedicated support page brings together the latest guidance and arrangements for students whose learning and assessments have been disrupted. This page will be updated as the situation continues to evolve.
Art and Design–specific guidance is also available through a recording of our recent webinar.
You can now submit your learners’ marks and samples for the May/June 2026 series non-examined internal assessments.
Head over to Edexcel Online to submit marks and view selected learners for moderation.
Be ready to provide additional samples - as part of our usual moderation process, your moderator or Pearson may request further learner work or documents.
Further details are included in the relevant qualifications sections of this update.
Art and Design mark submission deadlines:
| Date | Mark Submission Deadline |
|---|---|
| 48 hours prior to moderation visit |
GCSE and A Level Art and Design Component 1 and 2 visiting moderation
BTEC Tech Award Art and Design Practice Component 1 visiting moderation
|
| 31 May 2026 |
International centres only:
GCSE and A Level Art and Design digital moderation
|
Need more help? We’ll be in touch directly with all centres that have internal assessment entries to offer more guidance. You can also reach out to us via the Pearson support portal.
As NEA marks are submitted for the May/June 2026 series, please remind staff and students of the requirements around artificial intelligence (AI).
Any AI‑generated or AI‑assisted content must be clearly acknowledged, and misuse of AI is treated as malpractice and may result in sanctions. Updated authentication forms now include specific references to AI, and teachers remain fully responsible for marking decisions.
The Department for Education has launched a new consultation on reforming SEND support in England.
This is a chance for schools, colleges, families and professionals to share views on how the system can better meet the needs of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Your feedback will help shape future policy and practice — and make sure real experiences are heard.
| Date | GCSE and A Level Art and Design |
|---|---|
| 15 May 2026 | Start of moderator visits |
| 48 hours prior to moderation visit |
Deadline to submit marks on Edexcel Online for visiting moderation |
| 31 May 2026 | International centres only: Deadline to submit marks 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.
Our support guides for centres cover a range of topics to help you feel confident as you plan for this time of year.
Here you can find all the materials necessary for GCSE Art and Design internal assessment and standardisation as you prepare for moderation.
Administrative Support Guide
This guide outlines key information for visiting moderation as well as other administrative details.
Assessment Grid
One grid must be completed for each candidate, which records the marks for both components.
Authentication Form
This form must be signed by each candidate and the teacher. You may use one form per learner if you write both Component 1 and 2 in the relevant field.
Taxonomy
This assessment resource is helpful to include for each candidate, if possible, to assist the moderator with understanding your assessment decisions.
Exemplar Gallery
Use the exemplars alongside the Assessment Grid and Taxonomy to internally assess and standardise.
Bitesize Videos
Our bitesize videos will help you with assessing the assessment objectives holistically.
Assessment of Component 2 Bitesize Video
For support with assessing Component 2, watch our bitesize video.
Here you can find all the materials necessary for A Level Art and Design internal assessment and standardisation as you prepare for moderation.
Administrative Support Guide
This guide outlines key information for visiting moderation as well as other administrative details.
Assessment Grid
One grid must be completed for each candidate, which records the marks for both components.
Authentication Form
This form must be signed by each candidate and the teacher. You may use one form per learner if you write both Component 1 and 2 in the relevant field.
Performance Calculators
This assessment resource is helpful to include for each candidate, if possible, to assist the moderator with understanding your assessment decisions.
Exemplar Gallery
Use the exemplars alongside the Assessment Grid and Performance Calculators to internally assess and standardise.
Bitesize Videos
Our bitesize videos will help you with assessing the assessment objectives holistically.
Assessment of Component 2 Bitesize Video
For support with assessing Component 2, watch our bitesize video.
This guidance is for international centres using digital moderation.
Please note, this submission method is not available to UK centres.
To support your internal assessment and standardisation, please see our free online training.
To support internal assessment and standardisation, explore our GCSE and A Level Art and Design Exemplar Galleries, organised by performance level and component.
New exemplars have recently been added!
All titles are marked to the same standard, so exemplars from any title can be used to identify the visual characteristics at each performance level.
| Date | International GCSE Art and Design |
|---|---|
| 2 January 2026 | Online release of the Component 2 externally set assignment (ESA) |
| 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.
Our support guides for centres cover a range of topics to help you feel confident as you plan for this time of year.
Here you can find all the materials necessary for digital submission and external assessment.
Administrative Support Guide
This guide outlines the digital submission guidance and use of Learner Work Transfer as well as key information for administration of the qualification.
Authentication Form
This form must be signed by each candidate and the teacher. You may use one form per learner if you write both Component 1 and 2 in the relevant field.
Essential Guide to Component 1
This guide explains submission requirements for Component 1 to support selection of work. Students submit one project only.
Component 2 Attendance Register
This template can be used to confirm attendance for the 10-hour sustained focus period, or centres can upload their own.
Exemplar Gallery
Use the Exemplar Materials to support selection of work for digital submission and external assessment.
Bitesize Videos
Our bitesize videos will help you understand how the assessment objectives are externally assessed holistically.
Watch the International GCSE Art and Design bitesize video playlist
Digital submission guidance is available in the Administrative Support Guide. We also have support available for Learner Work Transfer (LWT).
To support your understanding of the mark standard for external assessment and submission requirements, please see our free online training.
Last month we shared that a new range of exemplars had been added to the Exemplar Gallery — and they’re now even easier to find.
The refreshed gallery includes a clear NEW flag, making it quick to spot recently added exemplars.
These exemplars can be used to support submission choices and develop understanding of the mark standard.
| Date | A Level History of Art |
|---|---|
| 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.
As exams approach, it’s essential that students clearly understand the rules — and the serious consequences of getting them wrong.
Our #NoShortcuts campaign is designed to reinforce key messages around candidate malpractice and support students to stay on the right track.
Keep an eye on Pearson social channels for key messages on:
Ofqual have created classroom and assembly resources to help teachers, headteachers and their senior leadership teams explain GCSE and A level marking and grading to their students.
Art History Link‑Up has launched a new, fully online Higher Project Qualification (HPQ) course rooted in project‑based learning and student voice.
These are free courses for Y9 and Y10 students in UK state schools that introduce them to Art History through the extraordinary collection at the Courtauld Gallery.
The course offers a flexible way for students to shape their own enquiries while developing independent research and critical thinking skills.
| May/June Series | BTEC Tech Award Art and Design Practice |
|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|
| May - July 2026 | External Examination sampling - completed by 30 July |
| August 2026 | Students receive qualification |
As BTEC reform continues, we’re sharing updated guidance to help you plan with confidence.
These resources outline how Pearson is supporting centres to continue delivering BTEC qualifications, alongside clear information on funding, support arrangements, and what this means for your learners and programmes.
Your opportunity to review and respond to reform!
Ofqual have launched a consultation on regulating post-16 vocational and technical qualifications at levels 2 and 3.
Deadline: 2 July 2026
We’re introducing digital credentials for Pearson vocational qualifications — a secure, online way for students to access and share their achievements alongside paper certificates.
This change supports progression into further study and employment, with no changes to assessment, grading or standards.
Digital credentials will be available for vocational qualifications, excluding Tech Awards and T Levels.
Unlocking the growth potential of Level 4 and 5 pathways
Are you engaged in post-16 skills and technical education and want to explore how higher technical qualifications at Levels 4 and 5 can play a stronger role in supporting progression, workforce capability and economic growth?
Pearson are proud sponsors of the new research from the Lifelong Education Institute (LEI) and would like to invite you to an interactive online event where the findings will be presented and discussed with key speakers.
Date: Wednesday 3 June 2026
Time: 10-11.30am
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.
Moderators will begin contacting centres to arrange visits 1 April - 15 June 2026.
Here you can find all the materials necessary for Component 1 internal assessment and standardisation as you prepare for moderation.
Administrative Support Guide
This Component 1 guide outlines key information for visiting moderation as well as other administrative details.
Candidate Assessment Record
A Component 1 assessment record must be completed for each candidate. You can use our template or generate these automatically using the Assessment Tracker tool.
Pearson Set Assignment (PSA)
Please ensure you have used the correct Component 1 PSA for the 2026 assessment series.
Exemplar Standardisation Materials
The Component 1 Exemplar Standardisation Materials support accuracy of internal assessment and standardisation.
Exemplar Gallery
Use the exemplars alongside the Assessment Record and Exemplar Standardisation Materials to internally assess and standardise.
View the BTEC Tech Award Art and Design Practice Exemplar Gallery
Bitesize Videos
Our bitesize videos will help you with assessing Component 1, including a demonstration for using the Assessment Tracker tool.
Here you can find all the materials necessary for Component 2 submission and external assessment.
Administrative Support Guide
This guide outlines the digital submission guidance and use of Learner Work Transfer as well as key information for administration of the qualification.
Authentication Form
This form must be signed by each candidate and the teacher. It must be kept securely by the centre until after post-results deadline dates.
Externally-Set Task
Please ensure you have used the correct Component 2 externally-set task for the 2026 assessment series. These are gold padlocked and accessed by Exams Officers only.
Sample Marked Learner Work
The Component 2 Sample Marked Learner Work supports understanding of the mark standard and submission for external assessment.
Stay up to date with the latest news for BTEC qualifications.
Our Training and Admin Hub brings together clear guidance on what T Levels are, how they’re structured, and the support available for delivery.
This practical tracking sheet supports delivery of the Employer‑Set Project (ESP) for T Level Craft and Design.
Check out the latest updates on T Levels and sign up for future updates.
Join Emily Gopaul and members of the NSEAD creator team for a series of short, focused conversations exploring key questions and themes across the art and design curriculum.
Each 30‑minute session shares the thinking behind the free Oak art and design curriculum resources, alongside practical tips to help you use them confidently and effectively in your classroom.
Looking to build confidence using film in the classroom?
This free online course by Into Film explores practical ways to use short films to support engaging, purposeful learning across the curriculum.
Designed to be flexible and classroom‑focused, it’s ideal for teachers wanting fresh ideas that are ready to apply straight away.
The NSEAD National Art & Design Education Conference 2026 brings together teachers, leaders and creatives for a day of inspiration, reflection and practical insight.
With a strong focus on classroom practice and the future of the subject, it’s a valuable opportunity to reconnect with the wider art and design education community and explore ideas you can take straight back to your teaching.
Date: Thursday 18 June 2026
This inspiring Crafts Council story opens up conversations about the wide range of creative careers available, showing where creativity can lead beyond the classroom.
It’s a great way to help students explore real‑world pathways, challenge assumptions, and see how creative skills translate into future opportunities.
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.
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