THE acclaimed dance school at the centre of a sex abuse probe is to close, trustees have confirmed.
Work to wind up Ballet West has begun after a provisional liquidator was appointed at Oban Sheriff Court.
Trustees said the internationally renowned school has been "driven to the point of insolvency" since allegations emerged that students had been subjected to inappropriate sexual contact by former vice-principal Jonathan Barton, who quit after the claims emerged.
His mother Gillian Barton, principal of the Taynuilt school — a registered charity — was suspended and an independent investigation launched.
Since then, a Police Scotland inquiry has also begun.
An investigation by ITV News found more than 60 women, including former students, staff and parents, had allegations against Jonathan Barton going back as far as 2004.
The 38-year-old dancer and teacher is accused of abusing his position to have sexual contact with teenage pupils at the £9000-a-year boarding school, which also ran outreach services.
The SQA, Bath Spa University and the Royal Academy of Dance have now cut ties with Ballet West, leaving it without accreditation and 70% of its student intake.
All lessons will now end as liquidator French Duncan begins its work.
The liquidation means there is now no cash for the independent inquiry to continue.
But, in a statement, the board of trustees said the liquidator "will of course assist and make available any information to both Police Scotland and any other regulatory bodies".
The statement went on: "The Board of Trustees is deeply saddened by this outcome and appalled that parent and students have been placed in such a terrible situation.
"This is the consequence of a catastrophic sequence of events and we could not prevent this from happening.
"The allegations broadcast by ITN regarding the vice-principal on Thursday August 13 were shocking. Immediate action was required in response and he resigned. The Board launched an internal inquiry, committed to an external inquiry and informed Police Scotland.
"We hoped the Board’s prompt action would allay fears in terms of student safety going forward.
"However, On Friday August 14, we were informed that Bath Spa University was terminating its relationship with Ballet West with immediate effect. This was devastating news for students and the ballet school as Bath Spa students accounted for nearly 70% of the student intake.
"Further to this, we were informed that the Royal Academy of Dance withdrew their accreditation and on Thursday August 20, we were informed that the Scottish Qualification Authority had given us notice of termination for the HNC/HND courses at the school.
"In short, these developments rendered the business of Ballet West unviable.
"Every option was explored to secure funding or alternative partners to support courses. These efforts were in vain and the Board was legally bound but to inform the charity regulator, OSCR, that Ballet West was on the brink of insolvency.
"We are immensely grateful for the support of many students, former students, parents and staff as we battled to secure the future of the school, but we were dealt one blow after another."
The board has pledged to "make all possible information" available to Police Scotland and says it "wholeheartedly" supports the probe.
It went on: "We are deeply sorry that any student should have felt that the school had failed them, and we urge anyone who has a complaint to report this to Police Scotland or any relevant body.
"The reputation for ballet excellence that Ballet West enjoyed was built on the talent and commitment of students and staff.
"We can only hope that those who see their future in ballet and the performing arts can find a route to realise their hopes and ambitions."
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