Skills for Life: Art and Crafts
Arts and crafts is a 20 hour Skills for Life unit, offered from Entry 1 to Level 2, in which learners explore what art and craft is, express ideas or feelings through their work, and choose and use materials, tools and techniques safely. It is one unit that learners combine with others into a Skills for Life or Skills for Life and Work Award, Certificate or Diploma. Literacy runs through the criteria: describing and comparing art forms, using the right terminology at Level 2, presenting ideas, explaining how work meets its purpose and analysing choices. Numeracy is light, limited to the language of shape, pattern and form.
- Awarding body
- WJEC
- Level
- Entry Level 1 to Level 2
- Guided learning hours
- 20
- First taught
- September 2027
- Amount of literacy work
- Medium
- Amount of numeracy work
- Low
How this unit is assessed
- Entry Level (Entry 1, Entry 2, Entry 3): Three learning outcomes (know what art and craft is, express simple ideas or feelings through art and craft, use basic materials and tools to create a simple piece of work), with evidence compiled into a portfolio, internally assessed by the centre and externally quality assured by WJEC, 20 guided learning hours, unit codes S601E1, S601E2 and S601E3
- Level 1 and Level 2: Three learning outcomes (know the key characteristics of art and craft, develop and express ideas or feelings through art and craft, select and use suitable materials, tools and techniques to create a piece of work), with evidence compiled into a portfolio, internally assessed by the centre and externally quality assured by WJEC, 20 guided learning hours, unit codes S601L1 and S601L2
Skills that use Vocabulary, spelling, grammar
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Using art and craft terminology correctly
At Level 2 learners must use appropriate art and craft terminology correctly to describe forms, styles or techniques. The amplification gives the vocabulary: elements of design such as line, texture and form, and techniques such as glazing, carving and stitching. At lower levels learners name and match types of art and craft.
Literacy: Vocabulary, spelling, grammar, Clarity and vocabulary
Getting pupils ready
- Year 7
- Pupils label a still life drawing with the words line, tone, shape and texture, pointing to where each appears.
- Year 8
- Pupils keep a technique glossary in their sketchbook with words such as collage, glaze and relief, each with a small example.
- Year 9
- Pupils annotate a print they have made using at least five correct technical terms for the process and the elements of design.
Show the specification wording and the LNF statements
Where it is in the specification: Level 1 and Level 2, learning outcome 1, assessment criterion 1.3, page 6; Amplification, learning outcome 1, page 9
“Use appropriate art and/or craft terminology correctly to describe forms, styles or techniques”
Progression step 3
I can use varied, appropriate and precise vocabulary including area of learning and experience/discipline-specific words for different purposes.
I can express issues and ideas clearly using area of learning and experience/discipline-specific vocabulary and examples.
Progression step 4
I have experienced a range of area of learning and experience/discipline-specific and general academic vocabulary, and can use them in my own communication.
I have experienced a range of area of learning and experience/discipline-specific and general academic vocabulary, and can use them in my own communication.
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Planning and annotating ideas
Level 2 learners plan and develop ideas for a project, and Level 1 learners identify suitable materials, tools and techniques for a task. The pack suggests planning sheets and annotated work explaining choices of materials, colours or techniques as evidence. Planning is required by the criteria, while the written annotation is one suggested way to show it.
Literacy: Planning and organising for different purposes, audiences and context, Vocabulary, spelling, grammar
Getting pupils ready
- Year 7
- Pupils fill in a simple planning sheet listing the materials and tools they will use for a collage.
- Year 8
- Pupils draw three thumbnail ideas for a clay tile and add a sentence to each saying which technique they would use.
- Year 9
- Pupils write a step by step plan for a textile piece and annotate their sample swatches to explain why they chose each fabric and stitch.
Show the specification wording and the LNF statements
Where it is in the specification: Level 1 and Level 2, learning outcome 2, assessment criterion 2.1, page 6; learning outcome 3, assessment criterion 3.1, page 7; Sources of evidence, page 11
“annotated work explaining choice of materials, colours, or techniques”
Progression step 3
I can explore different ways to plan, draft and present my work appropriately.
I can use varied, appropriate and precise vocabulary including area of learning and experience/discipline-specific words for different purposes.
Progression step 4
I can select and use appropriate strategies to plan and develop my writing for different purposes and audiences.
Good to know
- The unit codes are "S601E1", "S601E2", "S601E3", "S601L1" and "S601L2", and the unit is 20 GLH in the Skills for Life suite (Unit overview, page 3).
- Spelling is not assessed and long writing is not needed: "extended written work is not required unless appropriate" and judgements should focus on the standard "not spelling or presentation unless specifically assessed" (Sources of evidence, page 11).
- Spoken evidence counts: sources include a "short verbal explanation, audio recording, or written description of the work" and "presentation of work to peers" (Sources of evidence, page 11).
- Appendix A of the specification maps this unit to literacy and digital competence but not numeracy (Specification Appendix A, page 28).
- AI tools can be used "When properly referenced", but "Copying or paraphrasing whole responses of AI-generated content" is AI misuse (Specification section 4.6, page 21).
- Suggested assessment tasks are provided in each pack but "These tasks are not mandatory" (Specification section 4.1, page 18).
Links with other qualifications
The describing, comparing and evaluating in this unit match the annotation and evaluation in GCSE Art and Design, and the pack also names the VCSE in Creative and Media Production and Technology and the Foundation qualifications in Expressive Arts, Design and Technology, and Creative and Media Production and Technology. Talking about ideas and using technical vocabulary build on GCSE English Language and Literature. Within the Skills Suite, the pack suggests delivering it alongside Digital film and media, Equality, diversity and inclusion, Ethical choices, Community participation and Sustainability in action.
Source: WJEC Arts and crafts unit delivery and assessment pack, read with the WJEC Entry 1 to Level 2 Skills for Life and Skills for Work specification, approved by Qualifications Wales, teaching from September 2027 (© WJEC CBAC Ltd 2026).