Welcome to the March update from your Subject Advisor.
As the school year progresses, we are continuing to improve our resources and support at Pearson and I will continue to highlight key developments and information as well as wider curriculum opportunities. In addition, we always welcome feedback on how we can continue to improve our qualifications for teachers and learners so please do not hesitate to get in touch with any recommendations.
For updates on the qualification(s) you deliver, please see the relevant sections below.
On 2 February the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) published their updated JCQ guidance on AI Use in Assessments.
The guidance is designed to help students and teachers to complete NEAs, coursework and other internal assessments successfully, giving students the chance to demonstrate skills which cannot be assessed in exams.
Please do share the latest version of the guidance with senior leaders, teachers and assessors in your school or college. It’s vital the guidance informs school policies on AI use, and schools and colleges provide staff and students with clear information.
A summary of the key updates is available on the JCQ website. They've also produced a poster for students on the use of AI and assessments and an information sheet for teachers along with PowerPoint presentations for teachers and students.
Read all the information on JCQ blog and download the updated guidance and support materials.
Check out our new Training and Events page, where you can access past training event recordings and bitesize videos to support the delivery of BTEC Tech Awards (2022).
We have new Marking and Moderation and Preparing for External Assessment live events available for booking.
The submission deadline for the upload of learner work for BTEC Tech Awards in the summer series has been extended to 15 May 2024 and will remain in place for all May/June assessment series going forward.
In Art, Design and Media, this change applies to:
For these externally assessed components, the supervised assessment window will still end on 8 May, but you will now have a few more days to manage uploading learners’ work to Learner Work Transfer (LWT).
For Art and Design Practice Component 1, the deadline to submit marks is still 48 hours prior to your moderation visit date.
LWT opens on 15 April, so there is no need to wait until the deadline to upload learner work; once LWT is live, you can upload learner work at any time until the 15 May deadline.
Due to the later submission deadline, the deadline for you to submit amended marks following moderator feedback will move to 28 June. This is an optional service available, should you choose to use it, but is not a requirement.
| Date | Art and Design Practice |
|---|---|
| 15 Jan 2024 | Release of Component 2: Externally Assessed task |
| 15 May 2024 | 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 |
| 28 June 2024 | Deadline for amending marks following moderator feedback (where necessary) for internal assessments |
| 22 Aug 2024 | Release of results to learners |
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.
| Date | Creative Media Production |
|---|---|
| 8 Jan 2024 | Release of Pearson-Set Assignments for internally assessed components |
| 15 Jan 2024 | Release of Component 2: Externally Assessed task |
| 21 Mar 2024 | Release of Dec/Jan series results to learners |
| 15 May 2024 | Component 1 and 2 deadline for mark submission and upload of work for sampled learners |
| 15 May 2024 | Component 3 deadline to upload learner work for external assessment |
| 28 June 2024 | Deadline for amending marks following moderator feedback (where necessary) for internal assessments |
| 22 Aug 2024 | Release of results to learners |
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.
To get ready for the January results day in March, please see the latest Tech Award (2022) update.
The Pearson Set Assignments (PSAs) for internally assessed components are available to download from the qualification Course Materials page under the ‘June 2024’ drop-down menu within the Internal Assessments (PSAs) category.
The PSAs are secure materials, and you will need an Edexcel Online login (EOL) to access this. EOL accounts are managed by the centre Exams Officer / EOL Administrator. If, as a teacher, you need an EOL login please talk to your Exams Officer who will be able to get you set up.
Please note that as an additional step for securing customer and learner data we have now introduced our new app-based multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users of Edexcel Online, replacing the email-based MFA. The app is now mandatory to access Edexcel Online via the Pearson Portal. If you've not done so already, you'll need to download the Pearson authenticator app to a smart device (such as a smart phone) to continue to access Edexcel online via the Pearson Portal.
The live externally set tasks for externally assessed components are available to download from the BTEC Tech Awards Secure Tests page.
Please note, these are gold padlocked materials and can only be accessed by Exams Officers.
After the live assessment period is completed Pearson will move the externally set tasks to the support pages so that they are readily available for teachers to access. If you are not currently set up to use Edexcel Online, then you need to check with the Edexcel Online Administrator at your centre. If you require any assistance, please contact us.
Based on centre feedback, we have now published the mark grids for the externally-assessed components as a separate document on the qualification course materials page.
Check out the latest updates on Tech Awards (2022) and sign up for future updates.
We are currently in the process of redeveloping our BTEC National Art, Design and Media qualifications. We regularly revisit our qualifications over a number of years, to ensure that they are up to date and meet the needs of learners in the current context of the subject.
The remaining 2010 QCF qualifications in Creative Media Production have a final registration date of August 2024. From September 2024, here are the available options for new learners:
Both suites will be defunded in August 2026 and replaced by new AAQs as part of the government Level 3 reforms. New AAQs will align with the 2019 qualifications in structure, but will include external assessment to meet new DfE and Ofqual regulatory requirements.
Externally assessed unit dates have been published in the 2023-2024 exam timetables.
The live externally set tasks for externally assessed components are available to download from the BTEC Nationals Secure Tests page.
Please note, these are gold padlocked materials and can only be accessed by Exams Officers.
After the live assessment period is completed Pearson will move the externally set tasks to the support pages so that they are readily available for teachers to access. If you are not currently set up to use Edexcel Online, then you need to check with the Edexcel Online Administrator at your centre. If you require any assistance, please contact us.
Check out our upcoming live virtual training for International BTEC qualifications.
The Pearson Set Assignments (PSAs) for internally assessed components are available to download from the qualification Course Materials page under the ‘Pearson Set Assignment’ drop-down menu within the Internal Assessments category.
The PSAs are valid for one year after the date published. You may use whichever PSA you prefer and the additional PSA is intended as a backup for any retakes required.
The PSAs are secure materials, and you will need an Edexcel Online login (EOL) to access this. EOL accounts are managed by the centre Exams Officer / EOL Administrator. If, as a teacher, you need an EOL login please talk to your Exams Officer who will be able to get you set up.
Please note that as an additional step for securing customer and learner data we have now introduced our new app-based multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users of Edexcel Online, replacing the email-based MFA. The app is now mandatory to access Edexcel Online via the Pearson Portal. If you've not done so already, you'll need to download the Pearson authenticator app to a smart device (such as a smart phone) to continue to access Edexcel online via the Pearson Portal.
Check out our upcoming live virtual training for the BTEC Higher Nationals Creative Media and Art and Design suite.
We have 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.
Draft specifications are now available for T Levels in Craft and Design and Media, Broadcast and Production.
Providers should be aware that the draft specifications are likely to change as work between IfATE and Pearson continues at depth and pace. These materials are being shared with Providers solely for information purposes to ensure as much visibility as possible during the development period. Pending approval by IfATE, materials are expected to be shared with Providers in early Spring 2024.
Check out our upcoming live training for the T Levels in Art, Design and Media.
Check out the latest updates on T Levels and sign up for future updates.
The Level 1 and Entry Level space are going to undergo a reform for cycle 3.
Unless delayed, this will be for first teach in 2027.
While we await updates from the DfE, we have pulled together an information video that breaks down what we know so far.
Check out our upcoming live training for BTEC Level 1 and below.
Check out the latest newsletter for BTEC Level 1 and below and sign up for future updates.
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.
Free teaching resources from Art UK that seeks to transform the visual literacy skills of children, taking the world of art and images as its starting point.
This National Portrait Gallery exhibition showcases the work of contemporary artists from the African diaspora. As well as surveying the presence of the Black figure in Western art history, this exhibition examines its absence – and the story of representation told through these works, as well as the social, psychological and cultural contexts in which they were produced.
A new resource that maps the breadth and scope of art, craft and design education, drawing together important research, essential definitions and examples of good practice to support teaching and learning in your centre.
AWARE: Archives of Women Artists, Research and Exhibitions is a non-profit Association specialising in women artists and has a fantastic database of artists you could use to diversify your curriculum.
Developing an Anti-Racist Curriculum is a paid for professional development course delivered by members of the NSEAD Anti-Racist Art Education Action group.
A cultural and social education programme for London’s stage musical Wicked, with free cross-curricular resources to download and support art and design teaching and learning.
A range of interesting articles from Winsor & Newton that touch on the origins of colour as well as many other topics. These could be inspirational for teaching and learning in your classroom.
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.
