This article traces the development of a new National Curriculum in England following the general election of 2010. The prevailing political ideology of an approach based on securing "core knowledge" in a limited range of preferred "academic" subjects and its deleterious impact on the arts in schools is described. The vigorous…

This article considers the background and provisions of the New Secondary Curriculum in England. Attention is drawn to the extent of the policy changes by comparing the ten-year old demands of the Swift & Steers 'Manifesto for art in schools' (1999) with the new legislation and guidance. In particular, while there is strong support for overdue…

Assessment is widely considered to be the most significant issue affecting art and design practice at secondary level. The article begins with an historical overview of developments in and critiques of assessment procedures in England, Wales and Northern Ireland since the inception of GCSE examination. This is followed by a report of an attempt to…

Asks ten questions about the future of art, crafts, and design education. Focuses on why art, crafts, and design education should be included in the curriculum; how the curriculum should be defined; and how art educators should respond to conflicting calls for cultural relativism and for cultural nationalism. (DSK)

Discusses some problems found in art education in Great Britain today. Notes statistics which indicate new interest and new growth in art education. Reviews several reports on the current condition of art education in Great Britain and makes several suggestions for improvement. (RKM)

Traces the chain of events involved in the conception and development of the British National Curriculum with special attention to the place of art and design. Describes the confusion concerning disciplinary boundaries, content, and attainment targets and questions the effect the confusion will have on art and design education. (LS)

This study utilises survey questionnaires to compare 107 Canadian, English and Dutch students' opinions and experiences of portfolio preparation for final assessment in the terminal year of secondary school. The aim is to reveal what students value about portfolio assessment and if they see portfolio assessment as a valid preparation for their…

Discusses the place of design and technology in the national curriculum in England and Wales and its relationship to the art and design curriculum. Outlines the principal recommendations of the reports from the National Curriculum Working Group for Design and Technology. Summarizes the responses to the reports. (KM)

Discusses the status of art education in British elementary and secondary schools and explains the two main routes to higher level art courses. Examines governmental fiscal policies as they affect all sectors of education, stating that while art, craft, and design are firmly established in the British curriculum, teachers must provide balanced,…

Reviews significant aspects of the debate about art and design education in secondary schools in England and Wales. Asserts that the British National Curriculum forces art and design education into a marginal role. Contends that the National Curriculum's Order for Technology is of crucial concern for every art and design teacher. (CFR)