Co-teaching guide
As a result of regulatory changes, AS results no longer count towards the full A-level.
However, the design of the AS and A-level specifications will allow for effective co-teaching, where appropriate, so that your Art and Design provision can be structured to meet the needs of your department.
The A-level is designed to be taken over 2 years, 360 guided learning hours (GLH) and the AS is designed to be taken over 1 or 2 years, 180 GLH.
Both AS and A-level can be delivered in 1 year or 2 years as long as the GLH requirements are met.
For example, you may choose to offer an A-level Art and Design course over 2 years. However, based on a review of students' capabilities and aspirations, you may enter some of the students for the AS in year 12. The remaining students would be entered for the full A-level the following year. The AS course structure would still provide a sound programme of study for those students wishing to progress onto the full A-level.
Alternatively, if students only wish to pursue an AS they can be entered earlier for the course, but still be co-taught alongside the A-level students.
If students study an A-level in one year, it is recommended that they have previously completed an AS – but this is at the discretion of the school or college.
Co-teaching pathways
The grid below illustrates different examples of co-teaching the AS and A-level specifications. They are neither prescriptive nor exhaustive. Courses can be structured in a way that suits you and your students.
Co-teaching pathway grid
Summer Term
Introduction to and exploration of ideas, materials, techniques and processes aiding the development of skills, knowledge and understanding.
Introduction to research skills, methods and a range of sources. Students begin work on extended project.
| Year 1 | Year 2 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term | Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term |
| AS 1 year | |||||
Introduction to and exploration of ideas, materials, techniques and processes aiding the development of skills, knowledge and understanding. Introduction to research skills, methods and a range of sources. Students begin work on extended project. | Continue to produce work for extended project for Portfolio. Externally set assignment preparation period begins in February. | Students complete the Externally set assignment. Students complete extended project and select work for submission. | Not applicable | ||
| AS 2 years | |||||
Introduction to materials, techniques and processes aiding the development of skills, knowledge and understanding. Students explore different materials, techniques and processes and experiment in focused tasks or small projects. | Introduction to research skills, methods and a range of sources. Students research the work of appropriate artists, designers, photographers, craftspeople and/or other contextual material to inform their own work. | Students continue to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding in project work, pulling together all that they have learnt while exploring and experimenting. Students investigate ideas, themes and issues for extended project. | Begin extended project for Portfolio. | Continue to produce work for extended project for Portfolio. Externally set assignment preparation period begins in February. | Students complete the Externally set assignment. Students complete extended project and select work for submission. |
| A-level 2 years (First year not based on AS structure) | |||||
Introduction to and exploration of ideas, materials, techniques and processes aiding the development of skills, knowledge and understanding. Introduction to research skills and processes. | Exploration of a variety of sources, materials, processes and ideas and the development of skills, knowledge and understanding. | Further exploration and development of skills and/or begin extended collection of work/project. | Start Personal investigation. | Complete Personal investigation. Externally set assignment preparation period begins in February. | Complete Externally set assignment. |
| A-level 1 year (First year based on AS 1 year structure) | |||||
| AS 1 year | AS 1 year | AS 1 year | Start Personal investigation. | Complete Personal investigation. Externally set assignment preparation period begins in February. | Complete Externally set assignment. |
Benefits of AQA’s flexible specifications
The flexible nature of the specifications enables a smooth transition from GCSE to A-level or from AS to A-level and from A-level to higher education.
- Time to develop skills and explore ideas, materials, techniques and processes.
- Time to experiment.
- Opportunities for independent learning.
- Freedom to select a different title for AS and A-level study.
- Teachers may structure courses that utilise the knowledge, expertise and resources in their departments.
- Teachers may structure courses that respond to the interests and needs of their students.
- Enables students to make informed choices for year 13 and beyond.
- Opportunities for stretch and challenge.