Julie Spencer, the principal at Andrew Lloyd Webber-backed drama college ArtsEd, has resigned citing well being causes after an impartial investigation concluded that she presided over an “unhealthy environment” and introduced the establishment into disrepute.
ArtsEd is a storied British drama college, which counts Lloyd Webber as its president and main donor. Its notable alumni embody One Day star Leo Woodall and Oscar-winner Julie Andrews. The college commissioned a senior lawyer to research after a sequence of Deadline tales uncovered bullying and misconduct allegations from workers and college students in opposition to Spencer.
Ghazaleh Rezaie, the barrister engaged to guide the probe, has delivered her findings to ArtsEd’s board after a delay of greater than three months. The performing arts college has printed a abstract of the investigation, however is not going to launch Rezaie’s full report for information privateness causes.
After interviewing 30 witnesses, Rezaie concluded that Spencer’s relationships with ArtsEd staff was “damaged beyond repair” and that an “unhealthy environment” had developed underneath her management. Spencer joined ArtsEd in 2019 to guide its School of Acting earlier than being elevated to principal in 2021.
Rezaie stated that not all of the allegations in opposition to Spencer have been “well founded,” however round half have been sufficient to justify a disciplinary course of. The lawyer additionally concluded that Spencer referred to as college students “snakes” after Deadline printed audio proof of the incident. Rezaie stated Spencer introduced ArtsEd into disrepute, “damaging trust and confidence” within the college by permitting it to forcefully deny that she used the time period to explain college students.
Spencer resigned earlier than ArtsEd might begin disciplinary proceedings. Spencer has been on sick depart since ArtsEd commissioned the investigation final 12 months and Rezaie was unable to totally conclude her work as a result of she couldn’t “obtain the principal’s response to all of the allegations within the time available due to the principal’s health.”
Deadline has provided Spencer the chance to remark by way of an ArtsEd spokesperson.
Farida Mannan, ArtsEd’s performing chair, stated the board will contemplate Rezaie’s findings and takes the allegations in opposition to Spencer “very seriously.” She acknowleged that the method had been “challenging and at times an emotional” for these concerned.
Mannan added: “The board is assessing the lessons which must be learned and changes which must be made … We are committed to a culture of inclusivity and transparency. The board of trustees will ensure that robust procedures and processes that create a safe environment for all of ArtsEd’s students and staff are embedded throughout the whole institution.”
The assertion marks a change of tone from ArtsEd, which emphatically denied the allegations in opposition to Spencer and defended the principal within the weeks after Deadline’s exposé. It disputed any suggestion that the college had a “toxic” surroundings and stated the claims have been of a historic nature, arguing that they associated to issues handled in a earlier barrister-led assessment by Rebecca Tuck KC in 2021.
Tuck’s assessment concluded that ArtsEd had a “lack of regard” for the wellbeing of scholars, exposing them to favoritism, bullying, and different misconduct. The inquiry pressured the resignation of principal Chris Hocking, that means Spencer is the second ArtsEd chief to give up amid a misconduct controversy over the previous three years.
The fallout from Spencer’s tenure can be taking part in out in courtroom. ArtsEd is dealing with a authorized battle with a former instructor, who was fired after elevating issues a couple of “culture of fear” on the drama college. Matt Bulmer was appointed head of ArtsEd’s Day School and Sixth Form in February 2022 however was sacked in August final 12 months, leading to his unfair dismissal declare.
A consultant for Lloyd Webber declined to touch upon Deadline’s investigation final 12 months. There isn’t any suggestion that he was conscious of the allegations. Deadline’s reporting on ArtsEd shaped a part of a Drama Schools Uncovered sequence, which revealed that revered performing establishments are breeding grounds for sexual misconduct, racism, and bullying.