Police launch probe into claims of sex assault at prestigious Scottish ballet school
Deputy head of prestigious Scottish ballet school quits amid police investigation after claims girl, 16, was groomed
- Police are probing allegations made by students at Ballet West in Taynuilt, Argyll
- One senior staff member has quit and another employee has been suspended
- Claims, which came to light last week, relate to alleged inappropriate touching
By Graham Grant Scottish Home Affairs Editor For The Scottish Daily Mail and Raven Saunt For Mailonline
Published: 20:30 EDT, 20 August 2020 | Updated: 21:51 EDT, 20 August 2020
Jonathan Barton, who has resigned from Ballet West Scotland
The vice-principal of a prestigious Scottish ballet school at the centre of a police investigation into sex assault and grooming claims has stepped down amid concern from dozens of former pupils, parents and staff over his conduct.
Detectives are probing allegations made by students at £9,000-a-year Ballet West Scotland in Taynuilt, Argyll, where Sir Billy Connolly is a patron, as one senior staff member quit and another employee was suspended.
An ITV News investigation heard from around 60 former pupils, parents and members of staff who raised concerns about vice principal Jonathan Barton, 38, who has since resigned.
ITV News said a witness had come forward who said Mr Barton groomed her sent her inappropriate text messages when she was 16.
It is understood Mr Barton will ‘vigorously contest’ the allegations.
Mr Barton is the son of the principal, Gillian Barton, who is understood to be a senior member of staff who has been suspended. QC Dr Kirsty Hood has been hired to lead an internal investigation into claims of ‘inappropriate sexual behaviour’.
But Police Scotland have now confirmed an investigation has been launched, as it emerged that the University of Highlands and Islands raised concerns with police in Oban in late 2011 about ‘student welfare’ and ‘serious allegations’.
The University of Highlands and Islands closed its BA classical ballet and dance performance and HNC/ HND professional stage dance courses, delivered through Ballet West Scotland, at the end of the academic year 2011/12.
Police Scotland confirmed it had investigated allegations about ‘behaviour’ at the school eight years ago but it concluded with no further action and ‘with no criminality established’.
It also emerged that the Open University ended its partnership with Ballet West in December 2018 following ‘safeguarding concerns, including allegations of inappropriate sexual relations between students and a staff member’.
Detectives are probing allegations made by students at Ballet West in Taynuilt, Argyll, (pictured) as one senior staff member quit and another employee was suspended
Ballet West Scotland has said it was unaware of allegations of sexual contact between a student and a teacher being raised by the Open University.
The Board of Trustees at Ballet West said: ‘When these allegations were first brought to our attention, we contacted Police Scotland as soon as possible.
‘We welcome the police investigation and urge anyone with any information to contact the police.
‘The current board does not know of any allegation of sexual relations between students and a teacher being raised by the Open University.
‘Furthermore, correspondence held by the board from the Open University to Ballet West stated that termination of the contract was on a no-fault basis.
‘The Board of Trustees has, and continues, to take these allegations extremely seriously.
‘In light of the allegations, they have contacted all past educational partners requesting information on the due diligence procedures, and any communication that was in existence to the previous board, and the staff at Ballet West.’
A Police Scotland spokesman said: ‘Police have now received a number of reports which will be thoroughly investigated.
‘Police Scotland is committed to bringing sexual offenders before the courts and treats all reports of sexual abuse with the utmost seriousness and sensitivity.’
The allegations came to light after media inquiries about them were made to school principal Gillian Barton last week.
Ballet West, where Sir Billy Connolly is a trustee, has an outreach programme which includes classes for 300 youngsters across Argyll, four summer schools and three associate courses in Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow (stock image)
The claims relate to alleged inappropriate touching. None of the alleged victims is under 16.
Inquiries by the board established he had had a relationship with a 17-year-old student in 2012. He was in his 20s at the time. He was not a teacher or school employee during the relationship.
Last week, an influential dance organisation cut ties with Ballet West. The Royal Academy of Dance said it was ‘deeply concerned’ about the allegations.
Ballet West runs outreach classes in Glasgow and other Scottish cities. The school, where yearly fees are £9,250 for UK students, said it ‘had developed a widely respected educational programme offering full-time higher education and dance teacher courses’.
Its outreach programme includes classes for 300 youngsters across Argyll, four summer schools and three associate courses in Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
The school website says: ‘At Ballet West, we are committed to making the student experience the very best it can possibly be.
‘From two-year-olds taking their first dance class to undergraduate professionals, you will be treated as an individual and offered the very best in dance training.’
Responding to news of the police probe, the Ballet West board of trustees said: ‘When these allegations were first brought to our attention, we contacted Police Scotland as soon as possible.
‘We welcome the police investigation and urge anyone with any information to contact the police.
‘We are deeply sorry any student should have felt they had been subject of improper treatment by a member of staff, and that needs to be investigated thoroughly.’
