GCSE (9-1) Art and Design - Component 2 Scheme of Work - Introduction

Oct 20, 2026

GCSE (9-1) Art and Design Component 2 Scheme of Work outlines how students approach the externally set theme through a structured preparation period and a concluding 10-hour timed examination. The introduction explains that the scheme supports a sustained, coherent line of reasoning built from skills gained in Component 1, with holistic evidence across all Assessment Objectives. It emphasizes student independence, realistic goal-setting, controlled use of the allowed time, and completion of preparatory studies before sustained focus. A week-by-week plan connects learning objectives, assessment targets, lesson activities, and resources.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time15 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Scheme purpose and student expectations

Timeline: preparation and 10-hour sustained focus

Learning approach and differentiation

Week 1 learning plan

Understanding the ESA theme and exam structure

Early idea development and visual responses

Resources and exemplar materials

Week 2 learning plan

Independent ideas and visual research

Collecting purposeful resources and imagery

GCSE (9-1) Art and Design Component 2 Scheme of Work © artwork : Mark Bolitho | Origami photography Pearson Education Ltd/Just in Hoffman GCSE Art and Design (2016) Component 2 Scheme of Work Introduction This scheme of work does not replace the broad theme and starting points made available in the Externally Set Assignment paper issued on the Edexcel website in January of the year of the examination. Component 2 should allow students to demonstrate the ability to construct a sustained line of reasoning, which is coherent, relevant, substantiated and logically structured. All knowledge, skills, understanding and activities should, therefore, be relevant to the student’s creative journey. The work undertaken for this component should be seen as part of a substantive project(s), rather than a series of disjointed tasks, and work should evidence all the Assessment Objectives holistically. This scheme of work provides a structure that can be followed for each externally set theme from year to year. It is intended to encourage and support students as they embark on a more independent personal journey towards a resolution that is based on their own ideas in response to the externally set theme. As students begin to work on Component 2 they are advised to build on the skills and processes learned in Component 1. The time frame for this unit of work is shorter so it is most appropriate that it is seen as the culmination of their learning experiences thought out the GCSE centre devised course. Differentiation will be largely by outcome rather than by task. Personal development of work should be emphasised but that does not mean that more generic tasks cannot be offered to the students as appropriate. It is also vital that students learn to set themselves realistic objectives and take control of the time allowed. This is especially true for the timed element of this component. Setting over-or under-ambitious targets for the timed examination will not yield the best possible outcome for students. Students must complete all preparatory studies before the start of the period of sustained focus. The 10-hour period of sustained focus during which students produce their final response(s) to the theme may take place over multiple sessions (a maximum of four within three consecutive weeks) . During the 10-hour period of sustained focus under examination conditions, students will work unaided to produce personal response(s), with reference to their preparatory studies, in response to the ESAbroad-based thematic starting point. Useful documents are available to further support the teaching of Component 2: GCSE Art and Design Contextual references booklet GCSE Art and Design Written Annotation Guide GCSE Exemplar Library Examiner reports Scheme of work: Component 2 ESA Theme The aim of this scheme of work is to enable students to complete a piece (s) of work supported by preparatory studies, demonstrating their individual creative journey from first ideas through a line of enquiry, to a finished outcome(s) . Work should be produced in a centre-determined preparation period and conclude in a 10-hour timed examination. Work should respond to the externally set theme and cover all four Assessment Objectives. | Week No. | Learning objectives | Assessment Objectives | Learning activities/Lesson content | Resources
(materials) | Exemplar resources | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | To know the ESA Theme and understand the meaning of the theme.
To consider how other artists, craftspeople , and designers have worked in relation to the set theme.
To begin developing own ideas in response to the theme. | AO1
AO3 | Introduce students to the examination paper. Read through the paper as a class. Students can respond to any of the sources, visual and written.
Explain the structure of the exam paper. There are 4 sections:
• People
• Human-made
• Environments
• Natural world
Discuss t

FAQs

What is the purpose of the GCSE Art and Design Component 2 scheme of work?

It provides a structure to follow for each externally set theme year to year, supporting students as they build an independent creative journey from ideas to finished outcomes.

How does Component 2 differ in timing compared with earlier learning?

The unit timeframe is shorter and is intended to culminate students’ learning experiences from the GCSE centre-devised course, with preparatory studies completed before the 10-hour sustained focus period.

What must students do during the 10-hour sustained focus under examination conditions?

Students work unaided to produce personal response(s) to the theme, using reference to their preparatory studies, and producing evidence aligned to all Assessment Objectives.

Oct 20, 2026

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