Andrew Lloyd Webber-Backed Drama School ArtsEd To Launch External Review Amid Bullying Allegations
EXCLUSIVE: ArtsEd, the prestigious UK drama school supported by Andrew Lloyd Webber, has said it will launch an independent review after coming under pressure to investigate bullying and misconduct allegations.
ArtsEd, which counts Lloyd Webber as its president, told staff and student parents on Monday that it would engage an “external investigator” to review claims of a toxic culture at the school, first uncovered in a Deadline investigation earlier this month.
It marks a change of position from the institution, which has strenuously denied claims that student safety has been put at risk under principal Julie Spencer, who has been accused of bullying behavior and favoritism by at least 20 people.
Spencer remains in post but has told colleagues in an email that she is taking a leave of absence on medical grounds. ArtsEd declined to comment.
