Royal Academy of Music: independent review recommends improved 'safeguarding arrangements'

A report into the welfare and protection of students at the Royal Academy of Music (RAM) has identified areas in which the institution could improve. 

The independent Review of Safeguarding Arrangements at the RAM was commissioned at the end of 2019 in response to the resignation of Gareth Hancock as head of Royal Academy Opera following his dismissal by Glyndebourne Opera for inappropriate texting of a singer he was coaching. Hancock's departure prompted several students to complain about RAM pastoral staff failing to respond adequately to accusations of sexual harassment by tutors.

Chief among the recommendations made by review a team led by Professor Peter Kopelman from London University, is the need to foster a culture in which students feel able to 'speak out' about matters of sexual harassment and abuse, without feeling that this would compromise opportunities for career development.

The panel of reviewers has recommended measures such as a 'wellbeing pool' of academic and professional support staff, to support those students who are reluctant to discuss their concerns with their heads of department or personal tutors.

When contacted, RAM said that the institution would be implementing in full the recommendations that can be found listed in the report. A spokesperson from the Academy’s Governing Body said: ‘We warmly welcome this review. This is exactly the guidance we require to hold ourselves to the very highest standards in this critical area. We have started to implement the recommendations, including an external anonymous reporting system, and will be implementing the remaining recommendations in full.’

Meanwhile, the influential classical music blogger Norman Lebrecht has accused the review of soft-pedalling the complaints of students. On his Slipped Disc site, Lebrecht refers to the Review of Safeguarding as an 'independent inquiry into sexual abuse' and says that its recommendations amount to no more than a 'mild rap across the knuckles' in response to a culture of 'casting-couch lessons' at the Royal Academy.

Classical Music has invited the Review committee to respond to Lebrecht's accusations.