Bird College heads announce plans to stand down

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Bird College. Photo: Bird College

Bird College principal Luis De Abreu and chief executive Shirley Coen are to retire.

In a letter to staff, chair Geoff Pine said their departures had been in the planning for some time, writing that they had announced their intention to retire early last year and that they were leaving following an Ofsted inspection, which rated the college as ‘outstanding’.

News of their departures comes in the wake of a turbulent time for the college, in which the behaviour of senior management has been scrutinised following reports that former and current teachers have been allegedly subject to a "culture of fear".

This led to calls for an "independent, transparent, impartial inquiry". Those who spoke to The Stage at the time were highly critical of principal De Abreu, complaining that he had created a "controlling" environment at the school, with some claiming they felt "intimidated" under his leadership or had witnessed intimidating behaviour towards others, including students. Bird strenuously denied the allegations

In a letter to staff, chair Geoff Pine said he had been informed of their plans to retire early last year.

He said: "Early last year, Shirley and Luis informed me of their plans to retire once the college had achieved two key goals: firstly, to attain independent registration with the Office for Students; and secondly, a successful outcome with Ofsted. As you will know, the college has now achieved both goals."
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A spokesperson said Ofsted inspectors visited the college between January 30 and February 1, 2024, and surveyed both staff and students.

The spokesperson said the report had highlighted an environment where students "are encouraged by teachers to become the best, most authentic version of themselves as performers” and that their work was of the high standard required by the industry.

In addition, they said inspectors pointed to students from all backgrounds being made to feel "very welcome".

The report also highlighted the work of the college’s staff, who “provide students who need it with comprehensive well-being and mental health support”.

The spokesperson said: "Both had begun discussions with the board of trustees about planning their departure in 2022 but had committed to staying until their work in stabilising Bird’s finances and improving the quality of its artistic output had been completed. The recent Ofsted report marks the conclusion of that work, and both feel the time is now right."

Both have agreed to stay in post until replacements are found.

The college is hoping to have appointed new leaders by December. The college will be hiring a principal and a deputy principal, in a move that reverts back to an earlier leadership structure at the college.

Pine told The Stage: “The college’s recent ‘outstanding’ rating by Ofsted clearly reflects the culture of Bird and its staff and students who form a close-knit and nurturing community. The college owes Shirley and Luis an enormous debt of gratitude for the tireless work involved in achieving this. Bird is now in robust financial shape, producing artistic talent of the highest standard, and Luis has built its reputation among students and professionals to such an extent that it is now the college of choice for those aspiring to a career in the performing arts."

He added: "The ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rating is a fitting legacy to their time with us, and they feel the time is now right to finalise the planning around their departures. We know Luis and Shirley are going to be a hard act to follow, but we wish them well. They will always be part of the Bird family and we are all immensely proud of what they have achieved.”

In his letter, he said De Abreu was looking forward to retiring early to live in Spain with his partner. Coen’s partner retired in 2017 and Pine said she was "looking forward to joining him and spending more time with her grandchildren".

In January, The Stage spoke with two current and three former members of staff, most of whom asked not to be named for fear of repercussions, and saw two letters written to the college’s board – one of which claimed to be backed by more than 40 staff members – outlining concerns about working at the college.

At the time, the group of five current and former employees said they were approaching The Stage having failed to have their concerns satisfactorily addressed internally on multiple occasions.