Ballet West dance school in turmoil amid allegations
The founder and principal of Scotland’s biggest ballet school, Gillian Barton, has been suspended.
The suspension follows the resignation of the Taynuilt-based dance school’s vice-principal, her son, Jonathan Barton, amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards students and that he abused his position at the family-run boarding school.
The allegations became public last Wednesday evening following an ITV News investigation.
The ballet school’s board of trustees has now appointed Dr Kirsty Hood, QC, to lead an independent, external inquiry.
It said last week that the safety and wellbeing of students was of paramount importance and that these allegations had come as a shock to the school.
In a statement issued this week, the board of trustees said: ‘Any emerging allegations will form part of ongoing external and internal investigations.
‘Since ITN broadcast allegations last Thursday, the board has yet to receive any complaint from either students or parents.
‘The vast majority of parents who have contacted us have done so in support of Ballet West and the quality of education, but we welcome an investigation by Police Scotland and urge anyone who feels they have cause for complaint to make these concerns known to the police or the Ballet West board at board@balletwest.ac.uk so it can be dealt without delay.
‘Any correspondence will be treated as confidential. We also urge ITN to provide any relevant information to Police Scotland who have been contacted by the board of trustees at Ballet West.’
The board has said that parents or students requiring information about the current term can contact the school on 01866 822641 or by email on admissions@balletwest.co.uk.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: ‘We can confirm that officers have been made aware of concerns regarding inappropriate behaviour. However, there has been no criminality established to date.’