EXCLUSIVE: Just days after Deadline published allegations of bullying and misconduct at the prestigious drama school, ArtsEd was subject to a routine external inspection by the UK Education Agency.
ArtsEd – which sees Andrew Lloyd Webber as president – was told in May that the Ofsted review was expected around this time of year, but the exact date of an inspection would not be revealed until the school day before an investigation begins.
Inspectors raided ArtsEd’s college faculty earlier this week, shortly after Deadline raised concerns about the behavior of the institution’s director, Julie Spencer.
An ArtsEd source said the inspection had “categorically” nothing to do with the allegations, but Deadline understands Ofsted knew about the story before coming in. The regulator declined to comment.
ArtsEd was last inspected by Ofsted in 2015, when it was awarded outstanding status by the regulator – the highest grade a school can achieve.
Ofsted invites staff to complete anonymous surveys during inspections and a source said some staff took the opportunity to raise concerns about the school’s leadership. “A lot of inspections are about leadership and how the business side of schools works,” says an ArtsEd insider.
Deadline’s investigation found that there were significant concerns about director Spencer’s management style. Twenty people who had personal interactions with Spencer accused her of being an unpredictable and sometimes intimidating person. The majority of those who spoke to Deadline said they viewed her behavior as bullying.
Students told Deadline she created a “culture of fear” and was capable of bizarre outbursts, including one in which she accused a grad group of being “snakes.” At least two former employees accused Spencer of harassing behavior, while others blamed ArtsEd for the deterioration of their mental health.
A well-placed former employee said there had been a number of complaints to human resources about Spencer’s alleged behavior, but people were reluctant to put their concerns in writing for fear of punishment or losing their jobs.
ArtsEd denied allegations of misconduct and bullying against Spencer and strongly denied there was a “toxic” culture that affected student well-being. It said Spencer was responsible for a major overhaul of the school’s processes that was needed but not always popular with longtime employees.
Since publication, Deadline has been contacted by more than 50 people describing their own experiences at the school as well as at Spencer’s former employer, St. Mary’s University.
Others shared Deadline’s story on X, formerly known as Twitter. Arysha Kelly, 2021 ArtsEd graduate, said, “It’s just terrible to read the hundreds of other stories that have happened to so many people. Everyone deserves much better.”
ArtsEd is not impressed by the response and continues to support Spencer. Many of the allegations are said to relate to conduct that occurred before a legal inquiry into ArtsEd’s culture in 2021, although the majority of those who spoke to Deadline did not provide evidence to the independent inquiry.
In a staff email last week, school leaders said the story was unwarranted and “in no way reflects the facts.” The email continued: “We understand that the article will have come as a shock to many of you. However, it is important to note that we strongly reject the allegations.”
One senior staff member said the email “made me very upset”, while other insiders said the school was in a state of denial they did not believe was sustainable. “ArtsEd is full of scandals [in the past] … but this is the worst version of the place ever,” the CEO said.
Annemarie Lewis Thomas, the former director of London’s Musical Theater Academy and an advocate for student safety in the industry, said on X that ArtsEd is keeping its head in the hope that the “crisis will pass.”
Can also get further. They have not yet launched a formal investigation. The council must prioritize the safety and well-being of students and staff.”
The school declined to answer questions about whether it had received additional complaints, but said it would always listen to those who spoke out, citing its complaints and whistle-blowing procedures.
An ArtsEd spokesperson said: “We will always encourage everyone, including students, alumni and staff, to speak out and report any allegations of misconduct.”
“We have a clear complaints procedure, including a whistleblowing policy, and ensure that every complaint we receive is thoroughly investigated and recorded. If the complaints prove to be justified, appropriate measures will be taken. We strongly believe that people should have the opportunity to express themselves and that they will always be heard.”
The school previously told Deadline: “The school leadership has worked to proactively improve our culture and processes. We implemented many of the profound changes necessary in light of these findings, including staff turnover and the introduction of a new, more student-centered culture.
“While this work is ongoing and we recognize that there is always room to develop and build on the improvements that have been made, we are confident that the school today offers a much more responsible and supportive environment than it has did two years ago.”
A representative for Lloyd Webber declined to comment last week on Deadline’s investigation. There is no indication that he was aware of the allegations.
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Source: Deadline
Elizabeth Cabrera is an author and journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest news and trends, Elizabeth is dedicated to delivering informative and engaging articles that keep readers informed on the latest developments.
