Up to 220 students were left in the dark when the British Academy of Jewellery (BAJ) closed, with some finding out through social media that the courses they had paid for would not continue.
Dani Santos, 27, was on a course that was due to finish in October.
She said: “We’ve been ghosted. They’ve taken our money.
“They’ve not given us any information on what to do next and we’re the ones who have to go and do all the research to figure out what’s going on.
“I don’t think that’s fair at all. I think it’s ridiculous and I think it’s really shameful.”
Students such as Santos were told that a standard closure week in August would be extended, with no indication that the BAJ had already been ordered to wind up in July. They heard nothing further from the academy.
The BAJ website is still advertising courses due to begin this month. Students who expected to start two weeks ago have resorted to commenting on the academy’s Facebook posts for answers.
“Where can we get any information about the intake?” one asked. Another wrote: “I’ve tried calling too and sent emails and no response unfortunately.”
According to the Office for Students, all students should have been contacted by 17 August by their course validators and awarding bodies. However, students on courses accredited by Scottish Qualifications first heard about the closure through an email dated 26 August.
It said: “The British Academy of Jewellery didn’t notify us of their liquidation and we’ve not received a response from them after we heard of their liquidation.”
Students affected by the collapse may be entitled to compensation for disruption to their courses, the Office for Students says. Those who paid fees upfront without a student loan could face delays to refunds while a liquidator considers creditors’ claims.
Santos paid £1,000 upfront and borrowed a further £5,421, but said she had received no further information about what would happen to the money.
“It was disappointing that some of us dedicated a year of our lives. We took a risk. We gave up jobs to go into this and we ended up without a qualification,” she said.
Students can transfer credits they have earned to other course providers to continue their studies and gain accreditation. However, Santos and others are struggling to find similar specialist teaching.
Former associate lecturer Louis Riches said: “It’s heartbreaking not being able to see them through as a cohort. They’d done a very good job and the team was amazing there.”
Kingston University will take on students from the three-year BA (Hons) Jewellery Design and Production course.
The university, which had not previously offered a jewellery course, said it had held individual and group meetings to discuss students’ circumstances and direct them to support with accommodation, finance, academic progression and wellbeing.
Students will be taught at Kingston School of Art’s Knights Park campus, with arrangements still being finalised.
The university added: “We have a range of existing expertise within the University to ensure students receive the appropriate specialist teaching and academic support to successfully complete their studies.”
Santos fears the BAJ’s closure will have a lasting impact on her career.
“The British Academy of Jewellery now has such a bad reputation, if someone wanted to hire you and they saw that, it might be a bit of a red flag,” she said.
“I went to a jewellery show and someone said, ‘That’s so sad, they’ve ruined your chances of being in the industry.’”
The appointed liquidators for the BAJ, Louise Donna Baxter and Wayne Macpherson of Begbies Traynor, have been contacted for comment.
Featured image credit: Pexels.com
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