In this month’s update, you'll find the latest news, training opportunities, key dates, and practical resources to help you plan for the year ahead.
For results and post-results support, please refer to the August 2026 Art Results Day update.
Art and Design
Subject update |
Tue Sep 01 13:57:00 UTC 2026
September 2026 Art update
Welcome to the September 2026 update from your Subject Advisor
Qualifications in Scope and Guidance
Working with us is about to get easier. The Digital Assessment Plan (DAP) is now live, giving centres a simpler way to plan assessments.
Art and Design qualifications in scope are:
- BTEC Firsts Art and Design (2012) | Pearson qualifications
- BTEC post-16 Level 2 in Art and Design Skills | Pearson qualifications
- BTEC Nationals Art and Design (2016) | Pearson qualifications
Qualifications not in scope will continue to use the existing assessment plan template. A full list can be found in Appendix A of the centre guide.
Training and support
Join an interactive training session to see how to access DAP through Edexcel Online, create and submit plans, and use key features - with time for questions.
Prefer informal support? Drop into one of our regular DAP Drop-In Sessions for quick answers and to share feedback.
Both run throughout the rollout, so join whenever suits you.
A public consultation on the draft programmes of study and subject content for the first group of GCSEs will launch in September.
The revised National Curriculum will be published next spring, with support available ahead of first teaching from September 2028.
The first reformed GCSEs will then be taught from September 2029.
We'll share further details on the consultation and how to get involved when it opens.
Access the latest updates and funding guidance for post-16 vocational qualifications on our dedicated qualification reform page.
Help shape the future of post-16 vocational qualifications. Register your interest to join our feedback panel.
Key Dates
| Date | GCSE Art and Design |
|---|---|
| 2 January 2027 | Release of Component 2 Externally Set Assignment (ESA) |
| 21 February 2027 | Entry deadline (late entry fees apply after this date) International centre entry deadline: 21 March 2027 |
| 15 May to June 2027 | Moderator visits |
| 48 hours prior to moderation visit |
Marks submission deadline via Edexcel Online for visiting moderation (sample available once marks submitted) |
| 31 May 2027 | International centres only: Marks submission deadline via Edexcel Online for digital moderation
Sampled work submission deadline via Learner Work Transfer (sample available once marks submitted) |
| 19 August 2027 | GCSE Results Day |
Training
Explore upcoming face-to-face and online training, alongside recorded and self-paced learning designed to support your teaching throughout the year.
Planning Resources
Access planning and delivery resources to help you prepare for the year ahead.
Exemplar Gallery
We've refreshed the GCSE Art and Design exemplar gallery with new student work and an improved layout, making it easier to explore standards across a range of titles and performance levels.
These examples can help support planning, assessment and understanding of mark standards.
Key Dates
| Date | International GCSE Art and Design |
|---|---|
| 2 January 2027 | Online release of Component 2 Externally Set Assignment (ESA) |
| 21 March 2027 | Entry deadline (late entry fees apply after this date) |
| 31 May 2027 | Component 1 and 2 submission deadline via Learner Work Transfer for external assessment |
| 19 August 2027 | International GCSE Results Day |
Training
Explore upcoming live online and on-demand training, designed to support your teaching throughout the year.
Planning Resources
Access planning and delivery resources to help you prepare for the year ahead.
Exemplar Gallery
Explore the International GCSE Art and Design exemplar gallery to view student work across a range of titles and performance bands.
These examples can help support planning and understanding of mark standards.
Key Dates
| Date | A Level Art and Design |
|---|---|
| 1 February 2027 | Release of Component 2 Externally Set Assignment (ESA) |
| 21 February 2027 | Entry deadline (late entry fees apply after this date) International centre entry deadline: 21 March 2027 |
| 15 May to June 2027 | Moderator visits |
| 48 hours prior to moderation visit |
Marks submission deadline via Edexcel Online for visiting moderation (sample available once marks submitted) |
| 31 May 2027 | International centres only: Marks submission deadline via Edexcel Online for digital moderation  Sampled work submission deadline via Learner Work Transfer (sample available once marks submitted) |
| 12 August 2027 | A Level Results Day |
Training
Explore upcoming face-to-face and online training, alongside recorded learning designed to support your teaching throughout the year.
Planning Resources
Access planning and delivery resources to help you prepare for the year ahead.
Exemplar Gallery
Explore the A Level Art and Design exemplar gallery to view student work across a range of titles and performance levels.
These examples can help support planning, assessment and understanding of mark standards.
Key Dates
| Date | A Level History of Art |
|---|---|
| 21 February 2027 | Entry deadline (late entry fees apply after this date) |
| 17 May 2027 | Paper 1: Visual analysis and themes (PM) |
| 25 May 2027 | Paper 2: Periods (PM) |
| 12 August 2027 | A Level Results Day |
Training
Explore recorded training to support your teaching throughout the year.
Planning Resources
Access planning and delivery resources to help you prepare for the year ahead.
Subject Associations
Connect with the History of Art community through these subject associations, offering resources, events and networking opportunities.
The General Qualifications bulletin brings together all the key information and updates you need to know about our general qualifications, for both UK and International schools.
Key Dates
| Date | BTEC Tech Award Art and Design Practice |
|---|---|
| 7 September 2026 | Release of Component 1 Pearson-set Assignment (PSA) |
| 1 November 2026 | Registration deadline (late registration fees apply after this date) |
| 11 January 2027 | Release of Component 2 externally assessed task |
| 21 February 2027 | Entry deadline for Components 1 and 2 (late entry fees apply after this date) |
| 1 April to 15 June 2027 | Moderator visits for Component 1 |
| 12 April 2027 | Learner Work Transfer (LWT) available |
| 15 May 2027 | Deadline to upload Component 2 work via Learner Work Transfer for external assessment |
| 48 hours prior to moderation visit | Deadline to submit Component 1 marks on Edexcel Online for visiting moderation (sample available once marks are submitted) |
| 27 June 2027 | Deadline to amend marks following moderator feedback for internal assessments, where required |
| 19 August 2027 | BTEC Tech Award Results Day |
All BTEC Tech Awards dates can be found in the 2026-2027 key dates schedule.
Training
Explore upcoming online training to support your teaching throughout the year.
Planning Resources
Access planning and delivery resources to help you prepare for the year ahead.
Exemplar Gallery
Explore the Tech Award Art and Design Practice exemplar gallery to view student work across a range of marks achieved.
These examples can help support planning, assessment and understanding of mark standards.
Key Dates
| Date | BTEC L3 Nationals and L2 Skills Art and Design |
|---|---|
| 16 October 2026 | Entry deadline for January 2027 external units (late entry fees apply after this date) |
| 1 November 2026 | Registration deadline (late registration fees apply after this date) |
| 13 November 2026 | Digital Assessment Plan deadline for BTEC L3 Nationals in Art and Design (2016) and BTEC L2 Art and Design Skills |
| 18 March 2027 | January 2027 Results Day (resit entry deadline for June 2027 external units is 26 March 2027) |
| 19 March 2027 | Entry deadline for June 2027 external units (late entry fees apply after this date) |
| 15 May 2027 | Standards Verification sampling deadline |
| 5 July 2027 | Deadline to submit results for certification on August results days |
| 12 August 2027 | BTEC Nationals Art and Design (2016) and Art and Design Practice (2019) Results Day |
| 19 August 2027 | BTEC Level 2 Art and Design Skills Results Day |
For BTEC L3/4 Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media Practice key dates and support, please see the new centre guide.
Training
Explore online and recorded training to support your teaching throughout the year.
Planning Resources
Access planning and delivery resources to help you prepare for the year ahead.
Digital Assessment Plan
The Digital Assessment Plan (DAP) is new for 2026. Find more information in the News and Announcements section.
Key Dates
| Date | BTEC International |
|---|---|
| within 60 days of enrolment at the centre | Deadline for registrations - late registration fees after this date |
| June 2026 | Release of Pearson-set Assignments (PSA) - valid for 1 year after publish date |
| 5 July 2027 | 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 |
Training
Explore upcoming online training to support your teaching throughout the year.
Planning Resources
Access planning and delivery resources to help you prepare for the year ahead.
Key Dates
Training
Explore online training to support your teaching throughout the year.
Planning Resources
Access planning and delivery resources to help you prepare for the year ahead.
T Level Craft and Design Feedback Survey
We'd love to hear your views on the T Level Craft and Design qualification.
Complete our short survey by 19 September 2026 to help shape future qualification development and support materials.
T Level Updates
Check out the latest updates on T Levels and sign up for future updates.
Key Dates
For key dates and quality assurance support, head to the BTEC Higher Nationals (HN) Quality Assurance page.
Training
Explore upcoming online training to support your teaching throughout the year.
Planning Resources
Access planning and delivery resources to help you prepare for the year ahead.
The Vocational Qualifications bulletin is our monthly newsletter to centres delivering our vocational qualifications, providing the latest news and updates for BTECs, T Levels, BTEC Higher Nationals, Functional Skills and work-based learning.
Discover exhibitions, events and collections across the UK with Art UK's new 'What's On' tool.
Use it to find inspiring art to visit and support curriculum planning, lesson development and enrichment opportunities.
Date: 5 October 2026
Join AccessArt for this free online event featuring:
- Adam Vincent, HMI and Ofsted's Subject Lead for Art and Design
- Sally Bacon, Co-Chair of the Cultural Learning Alliance
Explore the value of arts education, the conditions that help creativity flourish in schools, and the latest insights from the Cultural Learning Alliance.
Explore Association for Art History's Curatorial Conversations playlist, featuring leading curators and arts professionals sharing ideas, insights and behind-the-scenes perspectives on contemporary art and exhibition practice.
Date: 16 November 2026
Join art educators, subject leaders and sector experts at Southampton City Art Gallery for a day of keynote speakers, practical workshops, gallery exhibitions and networking.
Explore the latest developments in art education, share good practice, and connect with awarding organisations and resource providers.
Stay connected for the latest news, resources and events by following my social media channels.
Join our teacher Facebook groups for a supportive space to share ideas, swap tips, ask questions and stay up to date.
Sign up to receive Art Subject Advisor updates straight to your inbox each month.
Thank you!
I hope you found this update useful. If you have any questions, please get in touch using the contact details below.
Subject advisor
Jaclyn Wiid
Subject Advisor for Art
Email :
Phone :
+44 (0) 344 463 2535
(Teaching Services team | Mon - Fri, 8am - 5pm GMT )
Subject updates
-
August 2026 Art Results Day Update
Welcome to the August 2026 Art Results Day update from your Subject Advisor