Performing college to shut down over lack of funds

Students at a performing arts school were preparing their final act after being told it would be shutting down after 25 years.

Tiffany Theatre School in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, was forced into closure after bosses could not secure the funding it needed.

The school's three-year higher education course was oversubscribed for September, but its 15 students have since been told the curtains were closing on Friday.

"People are suddenly now having to grieve friendships because they're going to have to find other places to train," said principal Phil Gostelow.

The school's future was thrown into uncertainty after the government said it would no longer finance its students' loans.

Staff and families rallied to raise £30,000 in four weeks to keep the doors open, but Mr Gostelow said the "amazing" effort was in vain as £200,000 was needed.

"It's not a big enough figure for us to responsibly open and give any form of security to our students," he added.

"We were left with no option other than to draw a line under it and close the college, which is heartbreaking for all concerned."

Past students have gone on to perform in London's West End, choreograph for pop star Kylie Minogue, as well as featuring in films, TV and music videos.

The school was meant to be welcoming a full intake of 20 new students in September.

However, they would not be able to pay for their education without student finance.

The sudden closure would follow two final performances at the Lakeside Theatre in Colchester on Friday.

"These were meant to be the end of year shows, our graduating cohort's farewell," Mr Gostelow said.

"Now it's turned into the last thing we'll ever produce as a college.

"We're trying to keep our brains on making the best show we can, but there's a big cloud hanging over everything."

He stressed to families it would be a goodbye "not with mourning, but with pride".

The Department for Education has been approached for comment.

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