The Specification for GCE AS and A Level Art and Design for teaching from 2015 has been designed to provide engaging and innovative creative learning experiences, where art, craft and design practice is meaningfully integrated with theoretical knowledge and understanding.

This specification provides learners with opportunities to develop a broad foundation of critical, practical and theoretical skills at AS, which offers learners a holistic understanding of a range of practices and contexts in the visual arts, crafts and design fields, culminating in greater specialism and achievement at A level.

GCE AS and A Level Art and Design Specimen Assessment Materials (SAM) document describes the assessment of the one unit, the Personal Creative Enquiry, for AS, and two units, the Personal Investigation and Externally Set Assignment, for A Level. The SAM sets out:

• a mark scheme for Unit 1, the Personal Creative Enquiry;
• a mark scheme for Unit 2, the Personal Investigation;
• an example of Unit 3, the Externally Set Assignment and its associated mark scheme;
• indicative content which relates to submissions for all three units.

The Teachers’ Guide for GCE AS/A Level for teaching from 2015 aims to offer support to teachers in delivery of the new specification and guidance as to the requirements of the qualification and the assessment process. It is not intended as a comprehensive reference, but as support for teachers to develop stimulating and exciting courses tailored to the needs and skills of students in their particular institutions. It includes advice on good teaching and learning, assessment objective checklists, indicative content for each title, changes from previous specifications, advice on drawing and extended writing and the answers to the most frequently asked questions