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Daily Record
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
West Lothian college closes 'with immediate effect' as students 'left in the dark'
The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television announced the facility had gone into liquidation. Many who attend the college, including those in their final year, have been left unsure whether they will be receiving their degrees. A West Lothian arts college has closed with immediate effect - as students complain of being 'left in the dark'. The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television has announced the facility had gone into liquidation. Many who attend the college, including those in their final year, have been left unsure whether they will be receiving their degrees. The centre, on Almondvale Way in Livingston, provides degrees in theatre, dance, acting and performing for students. It opened back in the '00s. A post on the college Facebook page reads : 'By the order of the Sheriff of Lothian and Borders at Livingston Sheriff Court, Katie McLachlan of Middlebrooks Business Recovery & Advice Limited has been appointed as Interim Liquidator of The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and TV Limited, with effect from May 6, 2025. The company has ceased trading with immediate effect.' Rachel Fiona Gilchrist, 21, handed in her final dissertation for her acting course on Thursday - only to be told that the college was shutting down operations. She branded the news 'really upsetting', and is still unclear on whether or not she will get her degree. David Adams, whose daughter Calley was in her first year at the facility, said parents have been left 'clueless'. The facility shared the update on their social media pages, which is understood to be how many students and teachers were informed. Rachel, who is originally from Ayr but moved to Livingston to study, told Edinburgh Live: 'I was quite lucky that I was in the building at the time. However, everyone else found out via social media. 'That's including the staff, they were in the same boat. I think it's disgusting. They found out that the job they'd been at for 10, 15 years was done over Facebook. 'We were meant to graduate this year. We've had absolutely no communication with the liquidators. 'Our last dissertation hand in was technically this morning. Since I was set to graduate I've had it in my head that this was my last year. I'm lucky that I've got my agent to help me get work and stuff. 'For younger students it's such a shame because they weren't far in, and it's almost too late to apply for other colleges.' While Rachel has been gutted by the news, she said her time at the college was 'amazing' - and has enjoyed every minute since she started three years ago. She added: 'I don't have a bad word to say, up until this point, about the college. The training I've received has been amazing. 'They had people who had been working in the industry, and everyone was so close - from the admin staff to the lecturers and everyone. They all helped us in so many ways. 'That's why this is so upsetting. The thing on the whole is so sad, because it was such a lovely place for people. 'I've put almost £30,000 grand into this degree. We're all in debt. 'I did raise that this could be hard for everyone's mental health, and asked if there was any help in place - but was told that there was 'plenty of services' available online.'
Scottish Sun
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Top Scots 10k-a-year drama school collapses into liquidation during exam week
Students found out on social media in the middle of their assessments GONE BUST Top Scots 10k-a-year drama school collapses into liquidation during exam week Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A TOP drama school has plunged into liquidation during exam week, leaving students and staff in the lurch after the shocking announcement was made on TikTok. The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film & Television in Livingston (known as the SI) posted a bizarre video on Wednesday night, revealing it had gone bust. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television has gone bust leaving students gutted Credit: Handout The clip, soundtracked by the song "She's Homeless," confirmed the elite school had ceased trading with immediate effect. Students were left stunned after first learning of the collapse via an email from the Sheriff Court. However, many only realised the full extent of the situation when the news was shared on social media. The private institution, which charged students around £10,000 a year for courses in dance, musical theatre, and acting, shut its doors without warning. Exams were cancelled, leaving students uncertain about their qualifications and futures. Initially, students were told the building was closed due to a 'power outage.' But they later discovered on Instagram and TikTok that their courses had been terminated on the spot. One furious third-year dance student slammed the handling of the closure, accusing the school of stringing them along despite knowing the end was near. She told the Scottish Sun: 'We received an email saying the building was closed due to a power outage, so our assessments were cancelled. "I was there on Monday and Tuesday for exams, and we were told on Wednesday the dance studio was closed for auditions for next year. Orr Decorators Collapse: The End of a 40-Year Legacy 'This doesn't happen overnight. There was a winding-up order last week, but they still made us come in for exams. "They knew this was coming.' The school's website now confirms the appointment of a liquidator, but students and staff remain in limbo as the fallout from the sudden closure continues. A post on the institute's website read: "NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF LIQUIDATOR "The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and TV Limited Company Number: SC413496 "By the order of the Sheriff of Lothian and Borders at Livingston Sheriff Court, Katie McLachlan of Middlebrooks Business Recovery & Advice Limited has been appointed as Interim Liquidator of The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and TV Limited, with effect from 6 May 2025. "The company has ceased trading with immediate effect." 2 The institute made the shock announcement on social media Credit: Google Maps More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Scottish Sun. is your go to destination for the best celebrity news, football news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheScottishSun.
