Latest news with #ScottishInstituteofTheatre
Edinburgh Live
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
'Our children have been let down - but we will do everything we can to help them'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Parents have rallied together after the shock liquidation of a West Lothian arts institute left hundreds of students without a spot in university. The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television announced on May 7 that the university would close "effective immediately" after entering liquidation. The news came out of the blue for students and parents, who were not notified of the Institute's financial struggles prior to the day it shut its doors. Edinburgh Live has since reported on students who are scrambling to audition for a handful of remaining university spots as the autumn semester looms. Neil Gordon decided to mobilise parents after his 16-year-old daughter Caileigh lost her spot at the Institute for September intake. Caileigh, an aspiring actress, was devastated to learn her "dream school" entered insolvency without warning. Neil held a meeting on May 13 in South Queensferry for parents and students impacted by the Institute's liquidation. Over 100 parents and students attended in person and online to voice their grievances. Some travelled from the West side of Glasgow while others - from Wales, England, and as far north as Inverness - tuned in virtually. Neil told Edinburgh Live: "I'm waking up to over 100 messages [from parents] every morning. I took the responsibility because someone needed to take the bull by the horns." The determined dad formed six WhatsApp chats for parents from each year group at the Institute and has become a de facto group leader. He said: "I'm exhausted but not going to give up. My ultimate goal is for all students on the chat group to get a concrete [university] place or have a concrete decision on what they're doing. I don't want them to give up on their dream." Neil said parents are frustrated with a "distinct lack of communication" from organisations like the Scottish Government and Bath Spa University, which is responsible for awarding degrees to students at the Scottish Institute. (Image: Supplied) Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. He added: "Basically, every student and parent are fending for themselves and it's kind of appalling. It's been so silent it's been deafening. You'd expect an announcement from the Scottish Government announcing the university had closed, but [there has been] nothing." The Scottish Government told Edinburgh Live the matter was "very concerning" and they are working closely with Bath Spa. Parents aired their frustrations in the group's WhatsApp channels, which were shared with Edinburgh Live. Some worry their children who completed one or two years of studies at the Institute will have to start from "square one" if their degrees are not validated. One parent said: "The kids are in a position of vulnerability and uncertainty, through no fault of their own, and my patience is wearing thin. Our kids' degrees are being devalued as they grapple to secure places on courses which fail to acknowledge their endeavours to date. They're basically going back to square one, with their wings being clipped and emotional stress unparallelled to that of their competitors." Many students are in the frantic process of auditioning for new spots at other arts institutes, with another parent sharing: "I believe at this late stage of the process, places are so limited that these [other universities] are in a position to cherry pick who they want on their course." Bath Spa University has been conducting meetings with impacted students, but parents expressed disappointment with the state of affairs. One parent shared: "We just came off our meeting with Bath Spa. Not very useful with them unable to answer most of our questions - [such as] 'will my daughter have to redo the second year? Will she have to audition again? . . . Will we get our fees back if the second year has to be redone?" Meanwhile, Neil said he is "not hopeful" that all impacted students will secure a viable plan. He shared: "I can only manage this until end of June. There is only so much I can do. I'm not hopeful. We're not getting communication we need. We need definitive answers from Bath Spa." Neil has since launched a petition to allow the facilities at the Scottish Institute to continue being used by students with disrupted studies. It reads: "The abrupt liquidation has left many young and aspiring talents with shattered dreams. We urge universities to help us preserve our educational ambitions by utilizing the now liquidated facilities at the Scottish Institute." You can find the petition here. A spokesperson from Bath Spa University said: "We are grateful for all the support and patience from our applicants, students and their families as we have worked through what is a very complex and challenging situation. "The welfare and wellbeing of our students is paramount, and we are committed to supporting them through this process. "We need to make sure that the options and provisions we offer are appropriate and viable, and arranging these options inevitably takes time. "We are in regular communication with our students. Many students have taken up the opportunity to meet with the team from Bath Spa University in our online 121 'Next Steps' meetings. "Our next communication will be sent to students in the coming days to answer questions, provide additional information and will include details of progression opportunities. "We know that this situation is challenging for us all, and we are doing everything we can to make decisions and move quickly to ensure minimum disruption to our students." A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "This is a very concerning matter and hugely distressing for students and their families. "We are working closely with Bath Spa University, which validated the degrees delivered by the Scottish Institute, the court-appointed liquidators, and the Scottish Qualifications Authority to determine if students will be able to graduate, as well as on contingencies for those part-way through their course and those due to start a degree after the summer about seeking alternative study options with other institutions.
Scottish Sun
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Fraud probe launched after Scots school goes bust while boss flaunts luxury lifestyle online
Pictures on social media showed him rubbing shoulders with music stars 'SMOKE & MIRRORS' Fraud probe launched after Scots school goes bust while boss flaunts luxury lifestyle online Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) COPS have launched a fraud probe into a drama school that took thousands of pounds of students' fees while facing collapse. Raging parents accused the Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television of using 'smoke and mirrors' to attract youngsters dreaming of showbiz careers. 5 Andy Egan ran the Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television 5 He rubbed shoulders with opera singer Russell Watson 5 He also met music stars like soul group The Real Thing And we can reveal the arts hub's boss Andy Egan, 61, was flaunting a luxury lifestyle on social media just hours before it shut on May 6 with the loss of around 20 staff jobs. Pictures showed him rubbing shoulders with music stars including opera singer Russell Watson, 58. Wannabe stage stars revealed they had continued to pay their dues with no warning of the school's looming liquidation — after directors were hauled before a law chief over cash owed to a property firm. One furious mum revealed her daughter unknowingly paid £750 from her student loan to Livingston-based 'SI' on the day it folded. She told The Scottish Sun: 'My daughter will now need to pay that loan back out of her own money. 'And she has nowhere else to go for her education.' I don't know if my degree means anything or if I can continue. I've lost all that work and he's on social media acting like it's no big deal Skyla Legal documents show the institute faced a winding-up order at Livingston Sheriff Court on March 28. The petition was granted on May 6 because it was 'unable to pay debts' — and it closed immediately. Meanwhile, SI president Egan was urging friends in online posts to visit a luxury holiday home with no mention of the financial woes. He showcased his celeb-spotting social life in rural Ireland, meeting pop stars such as disco legends Odyssey, Hot Chocolate's Kennie Simon and soul group The Real Thing. Moment dealer poses with wads of cash while claiming benefits - landing him in jail Wearing a bow-tie, he was also seen beaming alongside singer and I'm a Celeb contestant Watson. We told how students arriving for classes were initially told the school had closed due to a power outage. They later learned courses had been axed via a bizarre TikTok post featuring Crystal Waters' song Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless). Third-year dance student Skyla Kelly, 19, yesterday revealed she had been left in limbo after sitting two exams before finding out her course had been scrapped — despite paying £10,000-a-year fees. Skyla, of Bathgate, West Lothian, slammed the college supremo. It's heartbreaking... she's devastated. He sold us this big dream, but it was all smoke and mirrors Neil She said: 'I don't know if my degree means anything or if I can continue. "I've lost all that work and he's on social media acting like it's no big deal.' Meanwhile a cleaning firm boss told The Scottish Sun he spent months chasing a £3,000 payment for work at the SI. The contractor, named Neil, said: 'From April, May, and June, nobody got paid. His excuse was that he was waiting on a tax rebate from HMRC. 'I stopped cleaning for him, but I still wanted my money. Eventually, I got paid, as did other people.' My daughter will now need to pay that loan back out of her own money. And she has nowhere else to go for her education One furious mum Meanwhile his daughter's hopes of completing a musical theatre degree have been dashed. Neil, of Linlithgow, West Lothian, said: 'It's heartbreaking. She came bouncing down the school corridor, and she's devastated. 'He sold us this big dream, but it was all smoke and mirrors.' Egan refused to divulge any details about the school but said: 'I'll just have to take this one on the chin.' A notice posted on the SI's website revealed Katie McLachlan, of Edinburgh-based firm Middlebrooks Business Recovery, had been appointed liquidator. Cops confirmed they launched a probe after students complained. A Police Scotland spokesman said: 'On May 11 we received a report of fraud involving a business in Livingston. Enquiries are at an early stage.' 5 He rubbed shoulders with singer Errol Brown
Scotsman
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Scotsman
Gregor Poynton MP sends clear message to Scottish Government to support students and staff affected by the Scottish Institute closure
Gregor Poynton MP outside the Scottish Institute Gregor Poynton MP has written to the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Jenny Gilruth MSP, asking for clarity on the support available for staff and students affected by the closure of the Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and TV. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and TV, which is based in Livingston constituency, closed immediately after falling into liquidation on May 6. Staff are now facing immediate redundancy, and students have been left without a path to complete their qualifications. Gregor Poynton MP has said: 'I visited the Scottish Institute last year and was blown away by the dedication and energy from the staff and students. "The Scottish Government must make clear their plans to support those affected by the immediate closure of this much-loved school.'
Scotsman
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Devastated students at collapsed Scottish performing arts college get lifeline after 'challenging situation'
Final-year students linked to the former Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television have received some welcome news. Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Final-year students signed up to a Scottish performing arts college that closed suddenly after going into liquidation have been offered a lifeline. Bath Spa University in England has confirmed it will allow final-year students at the former Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television, which shut with immediate effect earlier this month, to complete their studies with the institution. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Contemporary dancers at The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television The decision comes after the Scottish Institute collapsed last week, leaving students 'in the dark'. The college had auditioned new students for next year's intake as recently as March before its sudden closure was confirmed. Bath Spa University had provided the accreditation for the institute's courses. A Bath Spa University spokesperson said it was 'grateful' for the patience from students and their families while working through a 'very complex and challenging situation'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We are pleased to confirm that all final-year students studying for a Bath Spa University degree will be able to complete their studies and graduate as planned, subject to their assessments,' the spokesperson said. 'This is great news for all those students who have worked so hard on their final performances and dissertations. For applicants and those students in their first and second years, we are in the final stages of being able to present a range of options on how they may be able to complete their studies. 'We are in regular communication with both our applicants and students, and we are planning a series of meetings over the next week where our team will be on hand to offer advice and guidance to help them determine the best option available to them.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The spokesperson said all impacted students had been offered access to Bath University's 24/7 helpline and support from the student wellbeing team. 'We know that this situation is challenging for us all, and we are doing everything we can to make decisions and move quickly to ensure minimum disruption to our students,' the spokesperson said. Before shutting with immediate effect, the Scottish Institute had moved last year from Edinburgh to a new campus in Livingston. In January, the body announced plans to invest in new student housing on the site. However, the college is understood to have not informed students before it closed suddenly last week.
Scotsman
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Devastated students at collapsed Scottish performing arts college get lifeline after 'challenging situation'
Final-year students linked to the former Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television have received some welcome news. Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Final-year students signed up to a Scottish performing arts college that closed suddenly after going into liquidation have been offered a lifeline. Bath Spa University in England has confirmed it will allow final-year students at the former Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television, which shut with immediate effect earlier this month, to complete their studies with the institution. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Contemporary dancers at The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television The decision comes after the Scottish Institute collapsed last week, leaving students 'in the dark'. The college had auditioned new students for next year's intake as recently as March before its sudden closure was confirmed. Bath Spa University had provided the accreditation for the institute's courses. A Bath Spa University spokesperson said it was 'grateful' for the patience from students and their families while working through a 'very complex and challenging situation'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We are pleased to confirm that all final-year students studying for a Bath Spa University degree will be able to complete their studies and graduate as planned, subject to their assessments,' the spokesperson said. 'This is great news for all those students who have worked so hard on their final performances and dissertations. For applicants and those students in their first and second years, we are in the final stages of being able to present a range of options on how they may be able to complete their studies. 'We are in regular communication with both our applicants and students, and we are planning a series of meetings over the next week where our team will be on hand to offer advice and guidance to help them determine the best option available to them.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The spokesperson said all impacted students had been offered access to Bath University's 24/7 helpline and support from the student wellbeing team. 'We know that this situation is challenging for us all, and we are doing everything we can to make decisions and move quickly to ensure minimum disruption to our students,' the spokesperson said. Before shutting with immediate effect, the Scottish Institute had moved last year from Edinburgh to a new campus in Livingston. In January, the body announced plans to invest in new student housing on the site. However, the college is understood to have not informed students before it closed suddenly last week.
