7 October 2004

Bretton and Wakefield review
Bretton activities should be relocated to the University’s main campus in Leeds, a report to academic development committee has concluded. The proposal follows a lengthy review of activities and options for Bretton and Wakefield campuses.

A final decision will be made by the University’s governing body, Council, on December 9. The proposal ends a period of uncertainty for Bretton, and underscores the University’s commitment to develop performance and cultural industries as a long term core activity of world class excellence.

University Pro-Vice-Chancellor Alan Pearman said: “We have thought long and hard about how we can provide the highest quality education to students through developing and sustaining world class teaching and research in the creative arts and performance.

“We appreciate the attractions of the Bretton site and the affection in which it is held. But our vision has to be world class, and to achieve that we need to integrate arts excellence at Leeds, where our students have the best facilities, the widest range of study opportunities – and ready access to one of Britain’s cultural capitals.”

Bretton students are being assured they will complete courses they have embarked upon. Relocation will not take place before 2006 at the earliest, so current second and third year students will finish their degrees at the Bretton campus. It is likely that first year students and those recruited for courses beginning in 2005 will be studying at Leeds. Detailed feasibility studies will explore the optimum focus and scale of teaching, learning and research in performance and cultural industries at Leeds.

The University is developing a strategic plan for Wakefield; discussions are already underway with colleges and the local authority. It is likely that the Manygates site will be vacated and students relocated within Wakefield, with some courses delivered collaboratively and/or at leased premises.

“We have confirmed an ongoing commitment to Wakefield, and remain positive about addressing the regional agenda through a widening participation strategy which opens up pathways to all our courses for all who could benefit from them, whatever their background,” Professor Pearman said.

The review has been open and accountable. Staff, students and a wide range of external stakeholders have been invited to contribute, and progress has been reported through announcements, letters and meetings. Options were evaluated against criteria including the need to achieve and sustain world-class academic performance; providing the best possible learning and teaching environment for students and staff, and financial viability.

Staff and students will be informed and consulted throughout the decision-making and implementation process; Professor Pearman will update staff and students at open meetings this Thursday 7 October at the Bretton and Wakefield campuses. Separate groups for communications, learning and teaching, facilities and student support are being set up to ensure that all important areas are appropriately addressed.

Leeds University Union communications officer Tom Wong said: “We will be working with the University to make sure that all students are provided for. If any individual student needs advice or support, the student advice centres in Bretton and Leeds are available. Carrie, the Bretton Hall officer, Sam, our education officer and myself will be in Bretton over the coming weeks to talk to students and make sure student concerns are raised with the University.”

The University has been consulting campus trade unions; as soon as a firm decision is made, detailed talks will take place about relocation arrangements, redeployment, voluntary severance and early retirement schemes. Discussions will be held with each member of staff individually to consider their options and preferences.

A detailed paper will be presented to academic development committee on November 10 and to Senate on November 24 before going to Council. We plan to hold further meetings with staff and students before a final decision is made.

Notes to editors
1. Bretton Hall College (of higher education) merged with the University in August 2001. At the time of the merger, the future of the college was in significant jeopardy and the union was warmly welcomed by the funding council. The merger saw a number of new, successful courses launched including popular and world music, cultural theory and analysis, contemporary art practice and music theatre.

Strategic relocations took place to bring together staff and students in closely-related subject areas, to give students the widest range of opportunities and protect and enhance valuable academic work. Textiles, fashion and graphics students from Bretton were brought to Leeds to join textile students in a new school of design. The school has doubled in size since relocation and now has over 1,000 students, benefiting from the city’s thriving fashion scene.

Teacher training was also consolidated at Leeds, creating a new centre for primary education and childhood studies in the biggest institute for education in the north of England. Music students came to a new purpose-built centre and newly-refurbished Clothworkers’ centenary concert hall.

2. There are 1,000 students at the Bretton campus in the school of performance and cultural industries on eight degree programmes in music theatre, acting, theatre, arts management, performance design and production, dance, creative writing, arts education. Another 250 students are studying at Manygates in Wakefield, the greatest proportion on social work courses. Some 45 academics and 110 support staff are based at Bretton and Wakefield campuses.

3. A review was launched into activities at Bretton and Wakefield in the summer of 2003. The two sites are currently running at a loss of around £2.6m a year. Options for the configuration of the Bretton Hall site will be considered once a final decision is made.

For further information, please contact head of communications Vanessa Bridge, 0113 343 4030, v.bridge@leeds.ac.uk