Students of collapsed drama school offered chance to complete studies

Third-year students who were studying at the Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television will be able to finish their degrees following the school’s liquidation last week, it has been confirmed.

Bath Spa University, which accredits the Scottish Institute’s BA and master’s programmes, has said that all final year students studying for one of its degrees will be able to complete their studies and graduate as planned after working through “a very complex and challenging situation”.

The university also said that it was in the final stages of being able to present options for first and second-year students, as well as next year’s intake, for which the Scottish Institute had been auditioning as recently as 25 March.

“Aside from resolving the practical and logistical challenges, our focus has been on the welfare and well-being of our applicants and students,” said the university, adding that all students have been offered support and access to the University’s 24/7 student helpline.

‘Emotionally distressing and morally reprehensible’

Students have been sharing their reactions to the school’s sudden closure after it announced bankruptcy on 7 May, with many learning the news via social media posts.

In an open letter to the Scottish Institute’s ex-president, Andy Egan, a group of pupils and parents described the situation as “emotionally distressing and morally reprehensible”, calling for “accountability, honesty and integrity”.

The letter said that communications to parents, students and prospective students have been “nothing short of appalling”, claiming the school had given assurances that it was “financially stable”.

New ownership

Previously known as MGA Academy of Performing Arts, the school was Scotland’s only fully accredited college with the UK’s Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre

It was renamed by its new owners, Irish production house Silver Rock Studios, last year. The school, which has received funding from West Lothian Council, Creative Scotland and the Scottish Government, recently relocated from Edinburgh to a new campus in Livingston. In January, it announced plans to invest in new student housing.

Official documents from the Irish Companies Register show that Silver Rock Studios received an “involuntary strike-off order” in February, after failing to file an annual return.

A report in The Scotsman also revealed that Silver Rock Studios has stalled in its plans to open a film studio in rural Ireland later this year, with locals in the town of Nenagh, County Tipperary, claiming the site is dormant.