Art teachers' views of national curriculum art: a repertory grid analysis

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