The Ultimate Guide to A Level Art & Design: All Titles, All Exam Boards

ABOUT THIS COURSE

However, misinterpretations and pitfalls in the approach to teaching these specifications are greater than ever! This is proven when exam boards moderate student outcomes at the end of each year and write their reports. It's also apparent when students do not gain their expected marks and grades including hitting on the top mark bands.

Copious annotation when it is not a requirement, no clarity between analytical and critical  understanding, limited honing of skills, 'riding too many horses' where experimentation takes place with no exploration of an idea, pastiche work, over directed projects - 10 versions of the same thing, shallow ideas based on imposed broad themes, 'Issues' based work hijacking the subject, lack of intellectual rigor, & ignoring the purpose of the written element treating it as an Art History essay or 'research'!

This brand-new course consolidates over 10 years of national observations of what has worked well, and persistent pitfalls seen in the classroom. It includes up to date analysis of the Summer 2025 exam series.

The Ultimate Guide to A Level Art & Design is a 'One Stop Shop'. Yes, we provide a framework of all the 'must haves' for both components but the day is flexible. We will be led by your learning needs based on your students. Resources provided may well be reviewed and updated after the session to provide you will all you need to know.

BENEFITS OF ATTENDING

• Exceptional practice highlighted and teaching strategies modelled for you in a 'take away' fashion.
• Based on the current Exam Series feedback; avoid all national pitfalls and misinterpretations with all your students throughout their course.
• 'Smart', time saving teaching methods with the written element as a journal.
• Identify characteristics of mark bands and what is needed to reach the next mark band up, including the 'Top' mark band requirements - avoid marks being adjusted by moderators.
• 'Outstanding' Ofsted graded lessons in analytical and critical unpicking of contextual references which drives better practical outcomes. Which sources to investigate and when.
• Exploit key approaches to both The Personal Investigation, (not a portfolio), and exam components to maximise outcomes. Best practice for preparatory and supervised time work for the ESA component 2.
• Build an ethos of 'rigor', 'intellect' and 'honing' of skills and ideas with all your Art & Design students.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

• New to teaching A LEVEL Art & Design (any exam board, any Title)
• Experienced but have hit a 'Plato' with marks and grades
• Had your marks adjusted downwards by exam board moderators
• Teachers unable to reach the 'Top' mark band at A-Level Art & Design
• Teachers needing help understanding the written element requirements and how it makes better practical outcomes if done correctly
• CDT teachers using Art & Design specifications for their students.

PROGRAMME

• Your learning needs - why you are here and what you need sorting out
• What a successful A-Level component does & 'must' dos in 2026
• National pitfalls and misinterpretations identified and understood
• Written element as a journal not research, little or no annotation, no Art History essay!
• Start to plan 'Key Sequence of Operations' to address the above

• Unpicking sources ' analytically' & 'critically'
• Building personal ideas & intent right from day 1 leading to practical work
• 'Spark' pages to forming constructed writing which connects to their practical investigation
• Planning, reflecting, being insightful & resolving personal responses at stages

• Understand what student work must show in each band and how to get each student across a threshold
• Component 1 Persona Investigation - best approach, no imposed themes, avoid 'issues' based 'hijacking' of the subject
• Component 2 ESA - Best practice in preparatory period - how to maximise outcomes in the 15-hour supervised time - the culmination of prep work not repeating!
• Selection, organisation and presentation - must do approaches to support moderation and avoid mark reductions.

• Intellectual open-ended drawing through 'speculative' practice
• Re visit 'Key Sequence of Operations' for your future delivery of the course
• Address all of your learning needs
• Other 'must haves' in your Ultimate Guide pack