Welcome to the November 2025 update from your Subject Advisor
This month, explore Pearson’s response to the Curriculum Assessment Review in England, alongside training, resources, and delivery support designed to help you plan efficiently and teach creatively.
To view the latest updates for your qualification, just click the section that matches what you teach.
The Curriculum and Assessment Review is an important milestone for education and skills in the UK – and it’s just the beginning.
We welcome the Review’s support for many of the recommendations we shared. All of these have been inspired by our work with schools and colleges across the country. And we’ll keep working to build an education system that empowers students, champions teachers, and drives the UK’s long-term success.
As we now move from ideas into further action, we’ll keep collaborating with educators, students, partners, sector experts to drive manageable and truly impactful change.
We’ve already started to do this and would love for you to join us in our next steps.
Curriculum Reform with the Education Secretary
Free online event 12 November 2025
Join the Education Secretary for a free online event hosted by the DfE for those working in schools and colleges. The session will provide an opportunity to hear from the Education Secretary about the Curriculum and Assessment Review and the government's response.
Under the CAR Bonnet with Professor Becky Francis
Recording from 7 November 2025
Schools Week editor John Dickens hosted a Q&A session with the Curriculum and Assessment Review chair Professor Becky Francis, who shared insights into her thinking behind the landmark reforms.
From the January 2026 series, we’ll be asking you to submit a slightly larger sample size for moderation in Project qualifications and BTEC Tech Awards.
From June 2026, this approach will also apply to GCSE, International GCSE, A level and Entry Level Certificate qualifications.
This change is designed to make moderation smoother and reduce the need for additional sample requests later in the year.
Join the final January Challenge!
Pearson is proud to partner with 64 Million Artists for the last-ever January Challenge – a free programme of daily creative prompts throughout January. Perfect for classrooms, staff rooms, and whole-school activities.
This year the theme is ‘Courageous Change’ with each of the prompts designed to help us get a new perspective, build our courage and helpus collaborate so that we can be more prepared for this ever changing world.
At Pearson, we've helped create the schools resource pack again this year and two prompts were written by your Subject Advisors!
To get involved, you can:
Last year 360,000 people took part and we’re hoping to make the last one the biggest and best. There’s no better time to make change than now, so sign up and take part, and we’ll see you there!
Do you teach GCSE, International 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.
| 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 |
Check out our free face-to-face coursework marking training for GCSE and A Level Art and Design.
This year, based on your feedback, we’ve extended the training to a full-day event. That means more time to:
Whether you're new to marking or looking to refine your approach, this is a brilliant opportunity to build confidence and share best practice.
Check out our free online training for GCSE and A Level Art and Design.
Choose from:
For help with assessment objectives and teaching ideas, check out our bitesize video playlists.
Looking for fresh ways to bring sustainability into your Art & Design classroom?
We’ve just launched Green Skills in GCSE Art and Design – a practical guide packed with ideas to help learners explore eco-conscious creativity.
From material choices to mindful making, this resource connects green thinking with artistic practice in ways that feel relevant, inspiring and doable.
| 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 |
What can we learn from the May/June 2025 exam series?
Join a focused session on 19 November packed with practical insights from the 2025 series.
You’ll:
This is a great opportunity to reflect, refine, and get ready for a successful year ahead.
Check out our free online training for International GCSE Art and Design.
Choose from:
For help with assessment objectives and teaching ideas, check out our bitesize video playlist.
Do you teach International GCSE Art and Design online?
We’ve just released fresh guidance to support online teaching, plus new training opportunities to help you feel confident and connected.
Take a look at what’s available in our latest announcement.
| 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 |
Careers with Art History: Working in Museums and Galleries
Free online event on 15 November 2025
A morning of careers advice from professionals working in museums and galleries hosted by the Association for Art History.
Learn from museum and gallery professionals about careers including curating, museum learning and working with digital audiences.
Their five guest speakers will offer information and advice aimed at undergraduate students and A Level students thinking about pursuing careers in this sector.
Ways of Seeing Conference
In-person event on 22 November 2025
The Association for Art History will host its annual one-day conference, Ways of Seeing, at The National Gallery in London.
This unique event brings A Level History of Art students and teachers into one space for a day of ideas, inspiration, and conversation.
The highlight? A keynote from acclaimed contemporary artist Gavin Turk, whose work challenges perceptions of identity and authorship in art.
It’s an unmissable opportunity to see art differently and connect with others who share your passion.
This month we spotlight a helpful Facebook group!
Looking for fresh ideas or a place to connect with other teachers?
The Edexcel History of Art Teachers Facebook group is a space created by teachers, for teachers. It’s a great way to share resources, spark discussions, and support each other.
Please note this is an independent group and not officially run or endorsed by Pearson.
If you need help with Pearson qualifications or services, please reach out through our official support channels.
If you’ve got something that’s working well in your classroom for future spotlights, we’d love to hear from you – drop us a line at TeachingArtandDesign@Pearson.com.
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.
| May/June Series | BTEC Tech Award Art and Design Practice |
|---|---|
| 1 November 2025 | Deadline for registrations - late registration fees after this date |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
|---|---|
| 1 November 2025 | Deadline for registrations - late registration fees after this date |
| 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 |
|---|---|
| 15 November 2025 | Deadline for registrations |
| November 2025 | Allocation of External Examiner (EE) |
| 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 |
On 20 October the government published its Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper. We know you'll have questions about what this means for you and your students. Pearson want to provide you with clear information and reassurance.
Most importantly, you should continue to register your learners and deliver your programmes as planned for 2025/26. There are no immediate changes to your current provision, and BTECs continue to provide excellent outcomes for the thousands of students who choose vocational pathways each year.
As soon as we have full details about the funding arrangements for 2026/27, we’ll share them with you straight away, so you can plan with confidence.
Pearson are seeking your valuable feedback on the DfE’s Post-16 Level 2 Pathways Consultation.
This short survey asks for your perspectives on the proposed pathways and implementation challenges that will help us enhance our Level 2 qualifications.
Please complete the survey by 30 November 2025.
Your participation is greatly appreciated and will contribute to shaping educational opportunities for learners.
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 2025/6 academic year, 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.
We’re delaying the early release of the Craft and Design Occupational Specialisms (Tasks 1 and 2) while we do some final quality assurance checks.
You’ll have seen in the key dates schedule that these were originally due to be released at the start of November; they’ll now be available by the end of the month, and we’ll be in touch with centres to let you know as soon as they're live.
We understand how important these resources are for your planning, and we’re sorry for the delay. You’ll still have plenty of time to prepare once they’re released later this month, and we appreciate your patience.
You'll find everything you need for delivery and assessment on the course materials page, including delivery guides, schemes of work, specimen assessments and guide standard exemplification materials.
A new opportunity is opening up for teachers and curriculum leads delivering T Levels. Gatsby’s Technical Education Networks (TEN) programme is expanding — and in partnership with the Association of Colleges (AoC), it’s launching route-specific Communities of Practice for specialist T Level teachers across the country.
These new groups will connect educators teaching the same T Level routes, offering a space to share ideas, collaborate on resources, and shape the future of technical education.
Members of the Communities of Practice will:
Each Community of Practice will meet four times a year — three times online and once at a national in-person exchange event. Task and finish groups will also be formed to develop practical tools and resources, with input from teachers, employers, awarding bodies and professional organisations.
This initiative is part of Gatsby’s TEN programme, which supports teachers in delivering an enriched curriculum by bridging the gap between industry and the classroom.
Check out the latest updates on T Levels and sign up for future updates.
Celebrating Excellence in Teaching
The Pearson National Teaching Awards honour teachers who inspire creativity and change lives.
Know someone who deserves recognition? Nominate them today!
Ways of Seeing Conference
In-person event on 22 November 2025
The Association for Art History will host its annual one-day conference, Ways of Seeing, at The National Gallery in London.
This unique event brings A Level History of Art students and teachers into one space for a day of ideas, inspiration, and conversation.
Time in Art Conference
In-person event on 28 November 2025
Join us for Time in Art, a discussion on how time shapes Art education. Hear from your Pearson Subject Advisor as well as organisations such as TATE, NSEAD, and more as we explore practical ways to keep Art accessible and thriving in schools.
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.
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