Route map through learning, teaching and
assessment
Course: Art and Design
Level: Higher
This route map is intended to assist staff in planning and delivering the overall vision for Curriculum for Excellence.
It has been developed to signpost the relevant support materials available to assist staff in the planning of learning,
teaching and assessment of Higher Art and Design.
The vision for the new qualifications is to create assessment opportunities that follow and support learning and
teaching. This follows the principles laid out in Building the Curriculum 5 and makes assessment a natural part of
learning and teaching.
Education Scotland has published support materials to help staff develop programmes of learning drawn from three
sources: course materials commissioned by Education Scotland, other support materials produced by staff
seconded to Education Scotland and course materials provided by Staff through their education authorities. Further
materials will be added as they become available.
These support materials are not intended to constrain staff, hence they are neither prescriptive nor exhaustive.
They provide suggestions on approaches to learning and teaching that will promote development of the necessary
knowledge, understanding and skills for Higher Art and Design. Staff are encouraged to draw on these materials,
and existing materials, to develop their own programmes of learning which are appropriate to the needs of learners
within their own context.
The link to Education Scotland’s support materials can be found below together with a number of other subjectspecific links staff may find helpful as they develop programmes of learning for Higher Art and Design. These
links are followed by a sequential list of the key guidelines, advice and support for the Higher Art and Design
qualification. This information is intended to support staff in deciding the most appropriate ways to generate
evidence and assess learners.
Useful links for learning and teaching Higher Art and Design
Education Scotland NQ Course Materials on GLOW (login and password required)
A wide range of learning and teaching resources to help staff develop programmes of learning.
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/nqcoursematerials/subjects/artanddesign/index.asp (copy and paste this link
into your browser)
Education Scotland NNQs support
A link to support materials for existing National Qualifications.
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/learningteachingandassessment/curriculumareas/expressivearts/nqs/index.as
p
ART AND DESIGN
SQA course and unit support notes providing advice and guidance on learning and teaching
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/CfE_CourseUnitSupportNotes_Higher_ExpressiveArts_ArtandDesign.pdf
Key Curriculum for Excellence support
A quick guide to finding vital information about Curriculum for Excellence under the following headings:
 the latest guidance, updates and plans for embedding Curriculum for Excellence
 information on assessment
 information on the new qualifications.
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/keycfesupport/index.asp
National Assessment Resource (login and password required)
Materials that inform planning for learning, teaching, moderation and assessment.
https://www.narscotland.org.uk/
National Galleries Projects
Special projects which aim to engage young people through a range of creative processes.
http://www.nationalgalleries.org/education/projects
Higher Art and Design course content
Higher Art and Design consists of two units and a coursework assessment.
Design Activity
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/CfE_Unit_H_ArtandDesign_DesignActivity.pdf
There is a full package of unit assessment support available on the Sqa Secure website for this mandatory unit.
The package includes unit assessments for both combined approaches, and also unit-by-unit approaches.
Expressive Activity
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/CfE_Unit_H_ArtandDesign_ExpressiveActivity.pdf
There is a full package of unit assessment support available on the SQA Secure website for this mandatory unit.
The package includes unit assessments for both combined approaches, and also unit-by-unit approaches.
Course Assessment
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/CfEAssessmentOverviewHigherArtandDesign.pdf
Pages 2 and 3 of this document outline the requirements for the Art and Design portfolio and specimen question
paper.
The new Art and Design course has many similarities with the previous Art and Design course but there are some
differences. The key change is that the new course offers an approach that effectively integrates learning practical
skills with the analysis of art and design practice. Within the units learners will produce both analysis of art and
design practice and practical expressive and design work.
Unit assessment
Units are mandatory when taken as part of the full Higher Art and Design course but they can be standalone also.
Unit support notes follow on from the course support notes.
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/CfE_CourseUnitSupportNotes_Higher_ExpressiveArts_ArtandDesign.pdf
ART AND DESIGN
Requirements for the coursework assessment (portfolio)
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/CfE_CourseAssessSpec_Higher_ExpressiveArts_ArtandDesign.pdf
The course assessment specification provides a detailed overview of the requirements for each component of the
course assessment.
Portfolio
The overall course assessment is worth 220 marks. The portfolio component is in two parts and is worth a total of
160 marks. The portfolio will provide evidence of the development and realisation of one single line of expressive
enquiry and one single line of design enquiry. Learners will select one strong expressive and one design
development idea from their previous work.
Section A, titled ‘Expressive folio’, will have 80 marks. The course assessment link above outlines the holistic
approach to marking that should be adopted taking into consideration initial idea, development, final solution and
critical evaluation.
Section B, titled ‘Design’, will have 80 marks. As with the expressive part of the folio, marking should be
approached holistically, and aligning with the expressive folio, should take into consideration initial idea,
development, final solution and critical evaluation.
For a more detailed overview of how the portfolio will be assessed, staff should refer to pages 4–9 of ‘Coursework
Assessment Info for Higher Art and Design’, situated on the SQA Secure website.
https://secure.sqa.org.uk/files/cfe/Art_and_Design/Higher/CATHigherArtandDesign.pdf
Question paper
In the question paper, learners will demonstrate their ability to express personal supported opinions about
examples of art and design work. They will analyse how art and design materials, techniques and/or technology
have been used by others for visual impact and expressive effect. They will also demonstrate their understanding
and critically analyse the external influences on artists’ and designers’ work and practice.
The question paper is in two section
Section 1, entitled ‘Expressive Art Studies’, will have 30 marks and Section 2, entitled ‘Design Studies’, will also
have 30 marks. Both sections will use extended response questions. Learners will answer either Question 1 or
Question 2, and either Question 3 or Question 4.
A specimen question paper demonstrating the scope of question types used and how learners are expected to
apply knowledge, understanding and application in Art and Design practices can be accessed in the specimen
question paper and marking instructions.
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/ArtandDesignSQPH.pdf
Points of change and areas of stability across National 5 and new CfE Higher are discussed at:
http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/files_ccc/H_Art_and_Design_Course_comparison.pdf.
ART AND DESIGN
Verification
The verification process is meant to be supportive and not onerous.
Internal verification is the process of ensuring standards are applied uniformly and consistently within a school in
line with national standards. External verification is the process of ensuring that national standards are maintained
consistently across all schools and is carried out by SQA.
Information on quality assurance is available at: http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/58448.html.
The following links will also support practitioners when preparing evidence for verification purposes including prior
verification, as well as internal and external verification:
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/Prior%20Verification%20Centre%20Guidance%20FINAL.pdf
http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/files_ccc/InternalVerificationGuideforSQAcentres.pdf
http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/files_ccc/Evidence_required_for_verificationevents.pdf
http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/files_ccc/SQA_Evidence_retention_requirements_A3_table.pdf.
Key messages from the verification process will be posted on the SQA website.
Results services
http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/files_ccc/FA6669_SQA_Results_Services_A5_8pp_brochure_web.pdf
http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/65427.html
SQA offer two services to replace the appeals process:
 Exceptional Circumstances Consideration Service (details to be provided to SQA within ten days of the learner
sitting the external assessment)
 Post-results Service – this consists of a clerical check and/or a marking review if the centre has concerns about
the results of an individual or group.
T +44 (0)141 282 5000 E enquiries@educationscotland.gov.uk W www.educationscotland.gov.uk
Education Scotland, Denholm House, Almondvale Business Park, Almondvale Way, Livingston EH54 6GA
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