GCSE Art and Design Launch Event - Agenda - Support and Resources - Next Steps

Oct 20, 2026

GCSE Art and Design launch event materials outline the agenda for introducing an accredited specification and explaining how the 2016 GCSE reforms affect teaching, assessment, and student readiness. The content covers the externally set assignment structure, creativity and progression goals, updated linear requirements, and the 9–1 grading scale. It provides a timeline, key component proportions, and Art and Design requirements, including evidence for drawing, written annotation, specialist terminology, and Ofqual assessment objectives with weightings.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages35

Reading Time1 h 28 min

AccessFree to download

Agenda

Introducing the accredited specification

GCSE reforms and new requirements

Our research and approach

Support and resources

Next steps

The GCSE reforms

Updated content and assessment requirements

Fully linear structure

9–1 grading scale

Timeline

Current specification assessment windows

New specification teaching and ESA releases

9–1 Grading

Alignment with prior grade boundaries

Grade 5 positioning and outcomes

Key requirements for Art and Design from 2016

Two-component structure (60% and 40%)

Student evidence and annotation requirements

Ofqual requirements and Assessment Objectives

AO1 to AO4 with weightings

Launch event Agenda • Introducing our accredited specification • GCSE reforms and new requirements • Our research and approach • Our accredited specification • Support and resources • Next steps Supporting creativity, independence and progression • More flexibility and choice – design a course of study that appeals to your students and draws on your expertise • A visually engaging and accessible Externally Set Assignment (ESA)– students can feel confident when completing the ESA, using and refining their knowledge, understanding and skills developed during the course • A straightforward assessment grid and accompanying visual exemplars • Similar structure to our AS/A level for smooth progression – the GCSE and the A level follow a common approach to the ESA and assessment to ensure smooth progression to A level • Develops transferable skills The GCSE reforms • Updated content and assessment requirements from Department for Education and Ofqual • Fully linear structure • New 9–1 grading scale, where 9 is the top level • A reduction in internal assessment, unless coursework or controlled assessment are the only valid ways of assessing the subject • No change to guided learning hours Timeline | | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Current specification | Summer assessment | Summer assessment | Final
assessment | Resit
opportunity | | New
specification | | First teaching of two-year GCSE | | First ESA released in January; first assessment | • The last available assessment for the current GCSEs will be June 2017. • The reformed GCSEs will be reported in the 2018 performance tables. 9–1 Grading 9–1 Grading continued • Broadly the same proportion of students will achieve a grade 4 and above as currently achieve a grade C and above. • Broadly the same proportion of students will achieve a grade 7 and above as currently achieve a grade A and above. • For each assessment, the top 20 per cent of those who get grade 7 and above will get a grade 9 . • The bottom of grade 1 will be aligned with the bottom of grade G . • Grade 5 will be positioned in the top third of the marks for a current grade C and the bottom third of the marks for a current grade B. This means a grade 5 will be of greater demand than the present grade C, and the government has confirmed that grade 5 will be the new‘good pass’. Key requirements for Art and Design from 2016 All GCSEs will comprise two components: a coursework component worth 60% and a controlled assessment component worth 40% Students are required to: • submit evidence of using drawing to support the development process in both components • use written annotation and appropriate specialist terminology Ofqual requirements Assessment Objectives | | Assessment Objective | Weighting | | --- | --- | --- | | AO1 | Develop ideas through investigations,
demonstrating critical understanding of sources | 25% | | AO2 | Refine work by exploring ideas, selecting and experimenting with appropriate media, materials, techniques and processes | 25% | | AO3 | Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions as work progresses | 25% | | AO4 | Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and demonstrates understanding of visual language | 25% | Our research Research carried out since 2012 with: • teachers from schools across the country in face-to-face and telephone interviews, and surveys • experienced moderators in face-to-face and telephone interviews • a subject advisory group, comprising representatives from the teaching community and universities

FAQs

What are the main elements of the GCSE Art and Design launch agenda?

The agenda covers introducing the accredited specification, GCSE reforms and new requirements, the research and approach, support and resources, and next steps.

What changes define the reformed GCSE structure starting in 2016?

The reforms include an updated linear structure and a new 9–1 grading scale, along with a reduction in internal assessment unless coursework or controlled assessment is the only valid option.

What are the two assessment components and the assessment objective weightings for Art and Design?

GCSE Art and Design comprises a 60% coursework component and a 40% controlled assessment component. The Ofqual assessment objectives AO1–AO4 are each weighted at 25%, covering idea development, refinement, recording progression evidence, and presenting a personal meaningful response.

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by Nguyễn Văn Học