How we teach art and design online
Art has always allowed young people to think freely, explore their identity, and see the world from new perspectives. At Academy21, we’ve long championed the role of a high-quality, comprehensive curriculum, delivered in a truly inclusive environment, in supporting student wellbeing, academic engagement, and self-expression.
A broad curriculum is vital for those who have lost motivation to keep up with their studies and need to reignite their interest in learning, reconnect with subjects they once enjoyed or even spark fresh interests that could shape their future paths.
With over a decade of experience delivering high-quality online alternative provision, we understand how to build inspiring, accessible learning environments that put students first. That’s why we’re thrilled to launch IGCSE Art & Design as part of our 2025/2026 academic year provision.
Delivered entirely online—from the first sketch to the final assessment—this course will allow Academy21 students to think creatively in a flexible, supportive space tailored to their needs.
IGCSE Art & Design: Our new course for 2025/2026
As one of the most popular creative subjects at GCSE level, Art and Design is a valuable addition to our expanding online curriculum. Following the Pearson Edexcel IGCSE (4FA1) specification, our two-year course* covers a broad range of artistic disciplines, including:
- Drawing and painting
- Mixed media and printmaking
- Graphic design and multimedia
- 3D and product design
The entire programme—including the final exam—will be delivered and assessed entirely online in our custom-built virtual classrooms.
How we teach art online
It’s natural to wonder: how do you teach a hands-on, visual subject like art in a virtual classroom?
Our sister school, King’s InterHigh, has a well-established art department and has been teaching creative subjects successfully online for many years, helping students build skills in everything from drawing to product design. At Academy21, we draw from this wealth of experience while tailoring our approach to suit the specific needs of our learners.
With cutting-edge digital tools, expert online pedagogy, and a deep understanding of engaging students remotely, we ensure our Art and Design course is immersive, relevant, and effective at preparing students for a potential career in the arts.
Here’s how it works:
1. Live, interactive lessons with expert teachers
Our art classes are taught live in small groups, allowing every student to engage directly with their teacher and peers. Lessons often begin with visual prompts and open discussion—exploring everything from classical techniques to contemporary movements—and are followed by live demonstration and guided practical tasks.
For example, a session on printing might include an explanation of relief methods, a step-by-step demonstration using a home-friendly technique like linocut or stamping, and dedicated time for students to work independently. Live feedback and questions are welcome throughout.
2. Home studios and personal practices
Students are encouraged to set up their own mini ‘studio’ space at home with basic materials. Our teachers provide adaptable guidance for working with everyday resources—whether it’s sketching with pencils, experimenting with collage, or exploring digital art apps. This flexible approach nurtures independence and problem-solving while ensuring every student can participate fully, regardless of their setup.
3. A rich blend of media and resources
Each art course is supported by a multimedia learning experience. In addition to live, adaptive lessons, students access pre-recorded masterclasses, step-by-step process videos, and virtual galleries showcasing professional and peer work for inspiration. These resources allow students to revisit techniques in their own time and learn at their own pace.
4. Personalised feedback and ongoing support
Our IGCSE Art and Design course is highly personalised. Students upload photos and scans of their work to a secure platform, where teachers can annotate, comment, and provide tailored guidance. This detailed, one-to-one feedback loop is key to helping students reflect on their process and progress throughout the course.
5. Celebrating creativity
Our virtual spaces also provide opportunities for students to exhibit and share work. At the end of each project or term, students can contribute to digital showcases, helping to build confidence, celebrate achievements, and foster a creative community, no matter where they’re learning from.
Some of the winning artwork delivered at ART INSPIRED, an annual event open to students at fellow Inspired Education schools around the world.
Why offer art online to your students?
Learning art online brings unique benefits:
- Wider access to specialist teaching: Not all schools have access to specialist art teachers or facilities. Our online IGCSE Art & Design course allows students to benefit from expert teaching and high-quality creative education, no matter where they are or what resources their school has available. It also fits flexibly around each student’s existing school timetable, so it is easier for schools to incorporate it.
- Building confidence through safe spaces: Whether students join from an inclusion room within a school or from home, learning art in a quiet, familiar environment often gives them the freedom to explore ideas without fear of judgement. Over time, they build confidence not only in their creative abilities but in themselves more broadly.
- Encouraging ownership and independence: While students are supported by experienced teachers who understand their individual needs, they’re also encouraged to take the lead in their creative process. This balance of structure and independence nurtures valuable skills for further education and future creative careers.
- Flexibility: The nature of our online educational setting means that students have more flexibility to fit Academy21 around their lives and study in a way that best suits them. This is critical for students who, for instance, have to attend medical appointments or have additional learning needs and prefer to learn at their own pace.
Our three enrolment options for IGCSE Art &Design
While the typical IGCSE Art & Design course is a two-year programme as we mentioned earlier, your students don’t necessarily have to be with us for the full two years to complete this course. We offer a range of options for students joining us, depending on their learning needs and the school arrangements in place:
Short-term studies
Students can study GCSE Art and Design with Academy21 for a defined period and then reintegrate into their mainstream school. All the artwork they produce while at Academy21 is incorporated into their portfolio alongside any prior work completed at their school. This way, no project or learning gets lost, and students have a continuous and coherent learning pathway.
Portfolio completion and exam preparation
Students who have already completed a significant portion of their Art & Design course at their mainstream school can join Academy21 and pick up exactly where they left off, with all previous artwork and projects counting towards their portfolio. At Academy21, they can complete any outstanding coursework and prepare for their final GCSE Art exam, supported by our subject-expert teachers and accessing the pastoral care they need.
Full two-year course with a hybrid model and reintegration support
Students can undertake the full two-year GCSE Art and Design course with Academy21, either as full-time Academy21 students or as part of a hybrid learning approach while still attending some of their lessons at their physical school. In this case, Academy21’s IGCSE Art & Design course can be the only subject they take online. If students are showing signs of disengagement, we can also work with the school to create a tailored support plan for a phased reintegration.
Exploring passions and opening new pathways
While our new IGCSE Art & Design course follows a recognised academic framework, it sits within Academy21’s wider mission as an online alternative provision dedicated to supporting students that may be vulnerable and show signs of disengagement. Many of our learners face complex barriers—including mental health challenges and special educational needs—that make traditional school settings difficult or impossible.
That’s why, aside from a truly inclusive platform and teaching approach, we offer a range of academic and wellbeing courses to provide support that goes well beyond the curriculum. Students may also have Individual Teaching Plans (ITPs) designed around their learning needs and flexible timetabling to accommodate their circumstances. Our dedicated team of teachers and wellbeing professionals work collaboratively to provide the necessary SEN interventions and ongoing pastoral care.
This approach ensures students not only develop their artistic skills through personalised feedback and creative encouragement but also rebuild confidence, resilience, and motivation. For many, engaging with art becomes a vital pathway to reconnect with education, improve wellbeing, and prepare for their next steps—whether that’s further study, vocational training, or employment.
