Elmwood College: report on ‘systemic failures’ and ‘opportunity for growth’

Professor Sir Ian Boyd was commissioned by SRUC, Scotland’s rural college, to look at the road ahead after concerns over funding and the closure of its main campus building which sparked a backlash among students and North East Fife politicians.

His findings contained criticisms past decisions taken by SRUC and Fife College, which pulled out of the college decade ago, but also pointed the way ahead for closer ties with national bodies.

Professor Boyd said: “The people of North East Fife have been let down by systemic failure within the education system. Several institutions, including SRUC, need to collectively work to correct this situation.

“The people of Scotland need a strong, internationally-credible educational and research institution to support its land-based economy, that the opportunities exemplified by NE Fife are significantly under-exploited to achieve this. There is an urgent need to transform SRUC into this institution.” He noted the organisation could not do this on its own, adding: “It needs to work closely with other institutions, including national and local government and other research and educational establishments.”

SRUC welcomed his report and said it was already addressing a umber of the key points made within it.

It said: “Elmwood, its staff, students and the communities it serves have a great deal to contribute to SRUC’s future direction. The task now is to move from uncertainty to clarity, from isolated debate to partnership, and from aspiration to a practical programme of action.”

SRUC agreed that partnership was the way ahead, and said such work was already underway..

It added: “We have been concerned about the negative and detrimental impact on both staff morale and student numbers at Elmwood of some recent commentary. We are, however, hopeful that following the publication of this report a more positive and optimistic outlook will support the development and strengthening of our offering at Elmwood Campus both now and in the future.”

Willie Rennie, MSP for Norh East Fife, welcomed the report, stating: “It’s a thorough report that does not pull its punches with criticism of past decisions by SRUC, Fife College and the Scottish Funding Council as well as the funding model which fails to reflect the cost of running the large estate.

“There are lots of interesting suggestions in the report about economic and education opportunities for education providers. For me the central recommendation is for all stakeholders in the area to come together to plan the precise way ahead.

“This report needs to be a turning point, and I hope that all the key stakeholders can be brought together to work in partnership on a way forward. This is just the beginning, but I hope it is a positive step to building a bright future for Elmwood, the SRUC provision in North East Fife and the wider offer from other stakeholders.

“We must do everything we can to promote that continuing offer whilst planning a new future for SRUC and Elmwood.”

Angela Anderson of the Save Elmwood campaign group commented: “Before the 2012 merger, Elmwood was a thriving college with 1000s of students. Today, SRUC faces perilous financial challenges while much of Elmwood lies boarded up.

The community did not create this situation. For years, local people, students, staff and businesses warned that the direction of travel was wrong, yet those concerns were ignored.

“We hope this report marks a genuine turning point, but actions speak louder than words.”