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

ABOUT THIS COURSE

GCSE Art & Design specifications are now 10 years old! However, misinterpretations and pitfalls in the approach to teaching these specifications is greater than ever! This is proven when exam boards moderate student outcomes at the end of each year and write their reports. Over annotation, mindless and endless experimentation which doesn't go anywhere, pastiche work, over directed projects - 25 versions of the same thing, shallow ideas which rush to final outcomes, 'Issues' based work hijacking your subject? Little refining, lack of critical understanding! 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 GCSE 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.

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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 annotation and drawing
• 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 drawing and annotation which drives better practical outcomes.
• Exploit key approaches to both portfolio and exam components to maximise outcomes.
• Build an ethos of 'conviction' and 'honing' of skills and ideas with all your Art & Design students.

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WHO SHOULD ATTEND

• New to teaching GCSE 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 GCSE Art & Design
• CDT teachers using Art & Design specifications for their students.

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PROGRAMME

10.00am: 'The Good, The Bad and The Ugly'! What Went on in 2025

• Your learning needs - why you are here and what you need sorting out
• What a successful GCSE component does or 'must' do in 2026
• National pitfalls and misinterpretations identified and understood
• Start to plan 'Key Strategies' to address the above

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11.15am: Break

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11.30am: AO1 & AO3 Focus. 'Smart' Drawing and Annotation - Students Making Choices

• Unpicking sources 'critically'
• Building personal ideas & intentions
• 'Spark' pages
• Planning, reflecting, being insightful & resolving personal responses at stages

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12.30pm: Lunch

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1.15pm:  Aiming High - Mark Band Characteristics & Component Short Cuts

• Understand what student work must show in each band and how to get each student across a threshold
• Component 1 Portfolio - best approach
• Component 2 ESA - Best practice in preparatory period - how to maximise outcomes in the 10-hour supervised time - the culmination of prep work not repeating!
• Selection, organisation and presentation - must do approaches to support moderation and avoid mark reductions.

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2.15pm: Break

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2.30pm: AO2 & AO4 Focus. Conviction, Confidence, Honing Idea and Skill

• Drawing through 'speculative' practice
• Re visit 'Key Learning Strategies'
• Address all of your learning needs
• Other 'must haves' in your Ultimate Guide pack

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3.30pm: Depart