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Drama school closed after liquidators appointed

BBC The sign outside the Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television. BBC
The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television has collapsed into liquidation

A leading Scottish drama school in West Lothian has collapsed into liquidation.

More than a dozen jobs have been lost after the Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television in Livingston was wound up on Wednesday.

The school, previously known as the MGA Academy of Performing Arts, had been operating since 2005.

It is currently not known whether students will be able to complete their degrees.

Katie McLachlan, practitioner at insolvency firm Middlebrooks, confirmed the winding up petition had been granted by Livingston Sheriff Court.

She added: "As a result, the company has ceased to trade with immediate effect.

"The priority at this time is supporting the employees and students who have been displaced as a result of the liquidation, and we are in communications with the relevant education bodies with regards to this."

A liquidation notice stuck to the door of the Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television.
The building has been closed and a liquidation notice posted on the door

The school's website was taken down and replaced with a message confirming it had ceased trading.

The building remained closed on Friday with a liquidation notice attached to the front door.

The school previously operated in the Balgreen area of Edinburgh, but moved to its Silver Rock Studios facility in Almondvale Business Park in February last year.

Accounts filed with Companies House in May 2024 stated directors believed it would "remain viable for the foreseeable future".

The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television has been approached for comment.

The school is partnered with Bath Spa University in England, which designed and awarded degrees for its courses.

A spokeswoman for the university said a student protection plan had been put in place to support those affected by the closure.

She said a further update would be issued on Tuesday.

She added: "We are in ongoing communication with our students to offer support and guidance, and we are in contact with the liquidators to find a timely and appropriate resolution to this situation.

"We are working as quickly as we can to ascertain all the facts, in order that we can present our students with their future options and next steps."