Tomorrow (16 April) sees the end of the public consultation on the draft National Curriculum in England, announced by the Department for Education on 7 February. The DfE’s proposals are based on outcomes of its major review of the Curriculum launched in January 2011.
Artists and educators have voiced strong concerns over proposed changes to programmes of art and design study at Key stages 1, 2 and 3, for their failure to include any mention of contemporary, non-Western, digital art or craft practices; and for their inadequate reference to contexts for learning, which overlook all artistic developments post-Dada.
Artist, educational consultant and President of the National Society for Education in Art & Design Susan Coles explains: “What is missing in the curriculum proposal is any reference to life or art after Surrealism! Where are the cultural and creative industries? Film and digital media? Where is contemporary art and where is there any mention of galleries or museums?
“It simply does not represent the views of anyone who works in art, craft, design or education … The curriculum needs to be relevant, engaging and fit for purpose in the 21st century. This model is everything but that.”
Online responses to the consultation can be submitted until 11.45pm on 16 April at education.gov.uk/consultations.
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