Trinity is excited to announce we are making some important changes to how we quality assure Arts Award. The changes to the quality assurance process will improve the assessment and certification process for centres allowing greater focus on the delivery of Arts Award for young people.
In practice, this will mean that the majority of centres will no longer be moderated every time they enter young people for Arts Award certification.
These changes will come into effect from 13 December 2023. For more detailed information, read our News and FAQs. Much of the information on this page is only valid for moderations before the 13 December.
Arts Award isn't just about engaging arts education projects. It's about recognising young people's progress and achievements – which is where assessment and moderation come in. They may be the end of the Arts Award process, but it's worth thinking about them from the start.
As an Arts Award adviser, you'll complete a simple, one-page, assessment report form for every young person's portfolio or 'arts log' you enter for any level of Arts Award including Discover. Use these to record your assessment and note the evidence that justifies your judgement. Be specific – use page numbers and timecodes to pinpoint the evidence you've based your assessment on.
Your adviser's toolkit explains the requirements for the different levels of Arts Award to help you assess with confidence. We've also produced step-by-step guides to making an assessment and completing the forms, along with example forms, evidence checklists and an assessment criteria support resource to support you through the process.
Want more assessment tips? Take a look at our blog posts on delivering and assessing Explore, Bronze, Silver Unit 1 and Unit 2, and Gold Unit 1 and Unit 2.
Before your young people can receive their Explore, Bronze, Silver or Gold Arts Award certificate, a trained moderator needs to confirm your assessments. They will look at a sample of them to check they're accurate and consistent.
We offer a range of moderation options. Whether you choose standard (face-to-face), online or postal moderation will depend on the number of young people you're working with, your portfolio format and your budget. Check out our moderation pages for advice on what type of moderation is right for you. For full guidance on planning ahead and a handy moderation checklist, download the Best Practice Guidebook.
You'll receive provisional results on the day of moderation or shortly afterwards, and your young people's certificates four to six weeks later. Then it's time to celebrate your successes… and plan your next Arts Award project!
We have lots of useful blogs to help you prepare for moderation. Try checking out our posts covering 10 steps to a stress-free moderation, getting moderation-ready, top ten tips for your online moderation and the adviser's role at moderation.
If you need support with any part of the assessment or moderation process, remember we have the blog, free support sessions and webinars (including 'meet the moderator' sessions).
You can also get advice from the Arts Award support team by emailing artsawardenquiries@trinitycollege.co.uk or booking in a support call.