ABSTRACT
In this situation the findings of the ORACLE research, based on close classroom observation in the academic year 1976 to 1977 are of some interest. Generally speaking they show that, for the ORACLE sample at least, the public image of the primary school created by the mass media is or was very wide of the mark. This comes out clearly from two of the main findings, and, such is their importance, it is worth devoting space to each.
