Art Teachers' Views of National Curriculum Art: A repertory grid analysis

Abstract

There have been calls for a radical revision of National Curriculum Art. A number of prominent academics have argued that its inadequate theoretical base has led to unsatisfactory formalist and normative tendencies in school-based art courses. The paper describes a small-scale survey, using the repertory grid technique, of the opinions and attitudes of experienced heads of art departments in comprehensive schools. Although the results indicate some areas of dissatisfaction, there is a clear overall consensus for acceptance of the mandatory framework. Such views are clearly at odds with most published discourse about National Curriculum Art. It is suggested that the school teachers' attitude to art education is an essentially pragmatic one, which recognises many forms of accountability.