ArtsEd head quits after staff relations ‘damaged beyond repair’

Julie Spencer, Principal and  a trustee of the performing arts school ArtsEd, has resigned after an independent report into allegations of bullying and favouritism found her professional relationship with employees had been “damaged beyond repair”.

Spencer's resignation was made public on 12 July, the same day that partial findings from the report were published, recommending a disciplinary process to explore the school’s “unhealthy environment further”, and two weeks after the full report was submitted to the school's board.

Promoted from Director of Acting to interim Principal in June 2021, Spencer becomes the second ArtsEd Principal to quit in three years. Her predecessor, Chris Hocking, resigned in October 2021 following a separate external investigation regarding misconduct allegations between 2012 and 2017 at the drama school. 

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The full report of the latest independent investigation, initiated following a series of articles in Deadline in November 2023 that alleged bullying and favouritism in the school, will not be made public as it contains confidential information. 

However, barrister Ghazaleh Rezaie, who carried out the review, confirmed Spencer had, as claimed, called students “snakes”. In an overview of her findings, Rezaie said by allowing ArtsEd to deny the allegation publicly, Spencer had brought the school into disrepute, damaging trust and confidence.

"Unhealthy environment"

Rezaie interviewed 30 witnesses between January and April 2024, finding around half the allegations made by staff against the former Principal - and others - during their employment at ArtsEd were “not well-founded”. She uncovered no evidence of favouritism and noted some individuals had used the opportunity to vent grievances against the school.

However, she said the “cumulative effect” of the other half of the claims raised the need for a disciplinary process to investigate the school’s “unhealthy environment”.

She added that her investigation had found that, from a staff confidence perspective, Spencer's dual role as President and trustee “gave the appearance of a conflict of interest” with a general feeling that there was no recourse to the board when a complaint arose about the Principal. 

Rezaie’s statement reveals that Spencer, who has been on sick leave since before the investigation began, took part in the investigation process “in a meaningful way at the times that she was able to participate” but did not directly respond to “a significant number” of the allegations.

The school’s board granted Rezazie two extensions to allow for time to hear from Spencer “albeit in a limited way”.

Rezazie said at times Spencer “articulated herself well, was able to recount events with clarity and specificity and was able to seek out evidence in support of her written and oral representations”.

However, she added progress was slow and that, on one occasion, Spencer was not fit to participate in the interview as she was “unable even to speak without causing concern”.

'A challenging process'

In response to the findings, the school’s acting Chair, Farida Mannan, thanked all participants who gave evidence, acknowledging that it had been “a challenging, and at times an emotional, process for those involved” adding that the school was “committed to a culture of inclusivity and transparency” with “robust procedures and processes”.

Mannan said the board is still considering Rezaie’s final full report “assessing the lessons which must be learned and changes which must be made” and that any changes will be made in consultation with senior leadership, including input into recruiting a new Principal.

Concerns about Spencer’s tenure are also expected to be raised in a separate court case. Former ArtsEd teacher Matthew Bulmer is taking the performing arts school to an employment tribunal for unfair dismissal after expressing concerns about the school’s leadership.

During a hearing in February, the school was described as having a “culture of fear”, while Bulmer’s lawyer accused ArtsEd of a “staggering” lack of disclosure ahead of the tribunal. Spencer has previously denied the allegations.