January BTEC and T Level Art, Design and Media Update | Pearson qualifications

BTEC and T Level Art, Design and Media January update

8 January 2025

Welcome to the January update from your Subject Advisor.  

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Welcome back and happy new year! I hope you had a wonderful break and are feeling refreshed for the school term in your region.

This January update includes resources to support your assessments and the release of externally set assignments. You'll also find information about training events and external resources that can enhance your delivery and planning.

I hope you find these resources valuable, and that they contribute to your teaching success. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Wishing you a fantastic start to 2025!

For updates on the qualification(s) you deliver, please click on the relevant sections below.


 

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 Vocational Updates


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BTEC First in Art and Design (2012) Moderation


Please note for Summer 2025, we will not be conducting moderation visits.

Instead, moderation will be conducted remotely with the centre submitting the sample in a digital format. Full details can be found in the updated Administrative Support Guide.

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The January Challenge 2025

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Become a Creativity Champion!

64 Million Artists (supported by Pearson) have created a resource pack for schools to support delivery of The January Challenge 2025.

This initiative will help more students, and more teachers feel creative at school, creating a stronger sense of community, agency, wellbeing, and a capacity to engage with the curriculum.

We hope a creative January inspires a creative February and beyond!

Schools Competition

64 Million Artists are running a schools competition for The January Challenge 2025:

1. Sign up your school for the January Challenge by downloading a FREE Creativity Champions Pack.

2. Engage your school community with the 31 creative prompts throughout January. Use them in group activities, team meetings, classrooms and staffrooms!

3. Share your school’s creativity. Post photos, videos, or stories on social media or email jemima@64millionartists.com.

Be sure to tag 64 Million Artists and use #TheJanuaryChallenge.

A FREE Creative Workshop tailored to your school, with materials provided.

A Hamper of Creative Goodies including books, supplies, and games.

Recognition for standout students or teachers who demonstrate exceptional creativity, enthusiasm, and collaboration during the challenge.

Submit your photos, videos, or stories anytime during January 1st - 31st, 2025 by email at jemima@64millionartists.com or by tagging 64 Million Artists on LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook.

Don’t forget to tag 64 Million Artists and use #TheJanuaryChallenge!

This isn’t just a competition. It’s part of a nationwide movement to celebrate creativity at the heart of every school and community.

By joining The January Challenge, your school will be helping shape the future of creativity in education. Together, we can make 2025 the year where creativity is celebrated, nurtured, and shared across the UK!

The January Challenge 2025 Schools Competition

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 BTEC Level 1/2 Tech Award Updates


May/June Series Art and Design Practice
13 Jan 2025 Release of Component 2: Externally Assessed task 
14 Apr 2025 Learner Work Transfer (LWT) available for upload of work for Component 2
15 May 2025 Deadline to upload learner work for Component 2 external assessment
48 hours prior to moderation visit Component 1 marks must be submitted 48 hours in advance of the agreed moderation visit
27 June 2025 Deadline for amending marks following moderator feedback where necessary for internal assessments (optional)
15 Aug 2025 Restricted release of results to centres
21 Aug 2025 Release of results to learners
25 Sep 2025 Deadline for Review of Marking or Moderation for internal and external assessments

All of the Tech Awards (2022) key dates can be found in the 2024-2025 key dates schedule.

Please note, due to the terminal assessment rules, Component 2 must be sat during the same assessment series in which certification for the qualification is requested.

Dec/Jan Series Creative Media Production
18 Nov 2024 Learner Work Transfer available for uploading work of sampled learners for internal assessments
15 Dec 2024 Deadline for mark submission and upload of work of sampled learners for internal assessments
17 Jan 2025 All initial moderator reports for should have been received (if 15 Dec deadline met)
24 Jan 2025 Deadline for amending marks following moderator feedback where necessary for internal assessments (optional)
19 Mar 2025 Restricted release of results to centres
20 Mar 2025 Release of results to learners 
17 Apr 2025 Deadline for Review of Marking or Moderation for internal and external assessments
May/June Series Creative Media Production
6 Jan 2025 Release of Pearson-Set Assignments for internally assessed components
13 Jan 2025 Release of Component 2: Externally Assessed task 
14 Apr 2025 Learner Work Transfer available for uploading work of learners for internal and external assessments
15 May 2025 Component 1 and 2 deadline for mark submission and upload of work for sampled learners
15 May 2025 Component 3 deadline to upload learner work for external assessment
16 June 2025 All initial moderator reports for should have been received (if 15 May deadline met)
27 June 2025 Deadline for amending marks following moderator feedback where necessary for internal assessments (optional)
15 Aug 2025 Restricted release of results to centres
21 Aug 2025 Release of results to learners 
25 Sep 2025 Deadline for Review of Marking or Moderation for internal and external assessments

All of the Tech Awards (2022) key dates can be found in the 2024-2025 key dates schedule.

Please note, due to the terminal assessment rules, Component 3 must be sat during the same assessment series in which certification for the qualification is requested.

If you have learners who’ve taken internal assessments submitted for moderation in December, be on the lookout for the initial (draft) moderator feedback reports. These reports will detail the moderator’s findings, and where necessary, give you the opportunity to amend marks in line with feedback.

If you uploaded learner work for moderation by the deadline of 15 December, you can expect to receive the feedback report by 17 January. You will then have until 24 January to make any amendments to your marks if you wish to, though this is not compulsory.

 

Accessing your moderator feedback reports on Edexcel Online

After listening to your feedback, the moderator feedback reports you’ll receive following the moderation of PSAs completed in December/January will be available to download directly from Edexcel Online.

Read our guide to accessing your moderator feedback report 

As soon as your initial moderator feedback report is ready to download, a notification email will be sent to your exams manager, exams officer and exams assistant and quality nominee to let them know. They’ll then be able to download this in Edexcel Online and forward to anyone who needs to review this. Your final moderator report will be published and accessible from Edexcel Online on results day as usual.

 

Improvements to your initial moderator feedback reports

We are enhancing your moderator feedback reports to make them clearer and more consistent, based on your feedback. From this December/January series, you’ll notice a more uniform structure used across all subjects, a glossary of terms to make reports easier to understand, and a guidance video that will help you put the feedback into practice. We hope you’ll find these improvements useful and look forward to hearing what you think.

Watch our guidance video on understanding your moderator feedback report 

 

Amending marks following moderator feedback

Once you’ve received your draft moderator feedback reports, you will have until 24 January to amend marks in line with the feedback, if you wish to. Any learner marks can be amended based on feedback, not just those that were sampled by the moderator.

Follow our step-by-step guide to amending marks 

You can access Pearson-Set Assignments (PSAs) for the May/June assessments on each subject’s page.

Remember, the PSA for Art and Design released on 2 September are for use within the May/June window.

The externally assessed component tasks are available to download from the BTEC Tech Award Secure Tests page. 

Please note, these are gold padlock secure materials which can only be accessed by Exams Officers and can only be released to teachers and learners from 13 January 2025.

We have published new exemplar standardisation materials (ESMs) for the internal components. We add new ESMs after every assessment series to give you additional fresh examples based on the most recent Pearson Set Assignments. Be sure to review them to support you in your marking.

 

NEW Art and Design Practice Exemplar Gallery

Art and Design Practise Exemplar Gallery

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This exemplar gallery has been created to make accessing our exemplar materials more effective and straightforward.

The gallery contains exemplar materials for component BAD01 organised by mark band. A thumbnail is provided for each exemplar as a visual reference point, accompanied by details of the mark and title.

View the new Art and Design Practice exemplar gallery

We have published new sample marked learner work (SMLW) for the external components. We add new SMLW after every assessment series to give you additional fresh examples based on the most recent Externally Assessed tasks. Be sure to review them to support your planning and delivery.

Check out the latest updates on Tech Awards (2022) and sign up for future updates.


 

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 BTEC L2 Skills and L3 National Updates


Dates for the external assessments can be found in the Pearson exam timetables for the relevant assessment series. Also, key dates and guidance for Quality Assurance activities can be found the quality support page.

These sessions are for centres in England only and will focus on the impact of Government reforms on post 16 qualifications and funding.

You will hear our latest updates in response to Government's announcement (scheduled for December) after the pause and review and have the opportunity to ask questions or hear from other centres who may have questions of their own.

Creative Media: 21 January 2025

Art and Design: 23 January 2025

Following the DfE announcement on the 12 December, funding ​decisions will vary by sector. We have updated our funding guides to reflect the latest guidance for academic years 2025/2026 and 2026/27.

Our Level 2 Skills qualifications in Art and Design Skills and Creative Media Skills have been extended in England and Northern Ireland. 

The last registration date is now 31 July 2027. The last certification date is 31 July 2029.

All of the BTEC centre guides to quality assurance have now been published for 2024-2025, including the most recently published Guide to Standards Verification.

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BTEC Centre Guide to Quality Assurance
BTEC Centre Guide to Quality Assurance
pdf | 1.0 MB
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BTEC Centre Guide to Internal Assessment
BTEC Centre Guide to Internal Assessment
pdf | 701.4 KB
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BTEC Centre Guide to Internal Verification
BTEC Centre Guide to Internal Verification
pdf | 536.6 KB
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BTEC Guide to Standards Verification Entry to Level 3 (2024-2025)
BTEC Centre Guide to Standards Verification
pdf | 1.1 MB
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BTEC Centre Guide for the Lead Internal Verifier
BTEC Centre Guide for the Lead Internal Verifier
pdf | 600.5 KB
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BTEC Centre Guide to Quality Nominee 2024-2025
BTEC Centre Guide for the Quality Nominee
pdf | 1.1 MB

For internally assessed units, check out our BTEC quality assurance pages for key dates, centre guides, support, and training.

 

LIVE events online

Visit our Quality Assurance page to register for these free events:

  • BTEC Roles and Responsibilities of the Lead Internal Verifier (45 minutes)
  • Roles and Responsibilities of a Quality Nominee (1 hour)

On-Demand CPD 

Also available on the Quality Assurance page, each pack will include a YouTube video that will provide an overview along with supporting activities and answer sheets. 

Assessment:

  • Roles and Responsibilities of the Assessor
  • Good Practice Producing Assessment Plans
  • Marking, Assessment Records and Feedback
  • Understanding and Managing Plagiarism
  • BTEC Resubmission and Retake Rules
Internal Verification:
  • Roles and Responsibilities of the Internal Verifier
  • Planning for Internal Verification - BTEC
  • Effective Internal Verification

Visit the BTEC quality assurance page for live and on demand training

 

Quality Assurance templates

Access free BTEC assessment and internal verification templates used to support production of the key quality assurance documentation. You can create your own versions although must include the same content shown within our templates.

View our BTEC forms and guides 

 

Quality Assurance catch-ups

These online drop-in sessions with your Vocational Quality Assurance Manager are designed to discuss current Quality Assurance activities and answer related questions.

View our upcoming dates and times 


 

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 International BTEC Updates


The BTEC International Quality Assurance centre guides are for everyone involved in delivery, assessment and verification of BTEC qualifications and gives full details of our quality assurance processes for the academic year. 

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BTEC International Centre Guide to Internal Assessment 24-25
Centre Guide to Internal Assessment 24-25
pdf | 744.3 KB
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BTEC International Centre Guide to Internal Verification 24-25
Centre Guide to Internal Verification 24-25
pdf | 824.4 KB
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BTEC International Centre Guide to Assignment Writing 24-25
Centre Guide to Assignment Writing 24-25
pdf | 589.2 KB

 

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 BTEC Higher National Updates


NEW BTEC Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) in Photography

Discover how Pearson's new BTEC Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Photography for England is transforming the development of aspiring photographers by focusing not just on skills, but on fostering creativity and critical thinking.

Find out more about BTEC HNC in Photography

View the BTEC HNC in Photography specification

Higher National Certificate in Photography

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The aim of the 2023 BTEC Higher Nationals qualifications for Art, Design and Media is to give you more flexibility and scope when designing your curriculum so we hope you enjoy our new titles.

The documents to help support the delivery of the BTEC Higher National qualifications are located on HN Global. 

First, click on this link to log into your HN Global account:

Sign in to HN Global 

Second, click on this link to access the Art, Design and Media (2023) delivery materials:

Art, Design and Media resources

HN Global

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Whether you're new to delivering Higher Nationals or already offer our qualifications, this page outlines the processes and helpful resources to get you started.

With our quality assurance process for all BTEC higher-level programmes we can be sure our centres are meeting national standards.  

Our enhanced quality assurance (QA) processes are in place for all Pearson BTEC Higher National qualifications. The enhanced processes embed specific higher education expectations alongside Pearson’s QA expectations for its other BTEC qualifications. This enables us to work with approved centres to ensure that our qualifications are delivered to the required, UK Higher Education, national standards. 


 

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 T Level Updates


We are pleased to invite you to the South-West Regional T Level Network event, taking place on 11 February 2025 at Cirencester College.

This face-to-face event offers the opportunity to liaise with colleagues from across the region and from Pearson, hear about updates and developments and share best practice in implementing and delivering T Levels in Media, Broadcast and Production and Craft and Design alongside Legal, Accounting, and Digital.

On our training and admin support page, you’ll find 'Getting to Know the Specification' videos for an introduction to key information in the specifications and overview of the course structure.

We are producing more videos for the Occupational Specialisms, so look out for these soon.


You can also sign up for live 'Getting Ready to Teach' training events running in June on our events page, or you can watch the recordings of past sessions.

Book live T Level Getting Ready to Teach training

On 2 December 2024, the Department for Education announced changes to industry placements.

The entry window for Core Component assessments for the summer 2025 series is now open. You must make an entry for every student wishing to enter the assessment.

We have published exemplification materials for the T Levels.

NEW: We recently added guide standard exemplification materials that exemplify how students might respond to the Occupational Specialism at different grades (Pass and Distinction).

Here are some helpful resources to help you plan this school year, including new support materials that have been recently added!

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Here are some helpful resources to help you plan for next school year, including new support materials that have been recently added!

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Check out the latest updates on T Levels and sign up for future updates.


 

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 BTEC Level 1 Introductory Updates


A group for teachers of 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.

Thank you to the many teachers who attended our BTEC Level 1 Intro training event.

For those of you who were unable to attend, we have a recording of the session available to watch online.​​​​

Getting Assessment Right - Assessing BTEC Level 1 Intro qualifications recording


We also have answers to some of the questions that were asked during the event. Please see below to find the answer you are looking for:
 

  • If we have pupils doing 2 different BTECS in two different subjects (one in Art and one in Catering).  Do they need to do A2 twice? How does this work? 

    Yes, they do need to do A2 twice as there needs to be one A2 per qualification. However please speak to your standards verifier about how you might be able to tackle needing to do two lots of A2. They are there to help you. 


  • Is it allowed to use AI... if yes, how do you reference this? 

    Please see our policy on using AI in assessments. 

    AI Centre Guidance 2024-25

Here are some helpful resources to help you plan this school year.

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Here are some helpful resources to help you plan this school year.

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Check out the latest newsletter for BTEC Level 1 and below and sign up for future updates.


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 Helpful Resources and Inspiration

Importance of the Arts in Education

The importance of the arts in education and the value they bring to young people is at the heart of what we do. Designing courses that give students an authentic creative experience is a priority and it is vital that we continue to raise the profile of our subjects in education and beyond. As such, below is a range of external resources invaluable to your wider curriculum development.

Art UK

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Art UK Curations

Curations are groups of artworks selected, arranged, and published by our community of users.

You can even make your own curations based on preferred themes (such as the Component 2 externally set themes!)

Learn more about Art UK Curations

Play your way into Production

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Play Your Way Into Production

Find out what it’s like to be a newbie on a film/TV set!

Play Your Way Into Production is a free new game to give people an insight into the TV/film industry. Players have the opportunity to explore a TV/film set to find out more about how things work and the wide range of jobs available.

Learn more about Play Your Way Into Production

Sadako's Cranes for Peace

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Sadako’s Cranes for Peace

Sadako’s Cranes for Peace is a FREE teaching pack that enablesstudents to learn the inspiring story of a young Japanese girl who folded approximately 1,600 origami cranes in the hope to be granted a wish, despite suffering from terminal leukaemia as a result of the radiation from the Hiroshima atomic bomb.

Access the free teaching resource

Barbara Walker

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Barbara Walker at the Whitworth, Manchester

The first major survey exhibition by British artist Barbara Walker, charts her compelling figurative practice from 1990s to today. 'Being Here' presents over 70 extraordinary artworks, including rarely seen paintings. 

This exhibition runs until 26 January 2025.

Learn more about Barbara Walker and the exhibition

Zanele Muholi at Tate Modern, London

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Zanele Muholi at Tate Modern, London

Zanele Muholi is one of the most acclaimed photographers working today, and their work has been exhibited all over the world. With over 260 photographs, this major exhibition presents the full breadth of their career to date.

This exhibition runs until 26 January 2025.

Learn more about Zanele Muholi and the exhibition

The January Challenge 2025

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Become a Creativity Champion

64 Million Artists (supported by Pearson) have created a resource pack for schools to support delivery of The January Challenge 2025. This initiative will help more students, and more teachers feel creative at school, creating a stronger sense of community, agency, wellbeing, and a capacity to engage with the curriculum. We hope a creative January inspires a creative February and beyond!

Learn more about The January Challenge

Download the Creativity Champions pack for schools


 

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. 


You can also sign up to get these Art, Design & Media updates straight to your inbox every month.

Sign up for Art, Design and Media Subject Advisor updates

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