Sarah Frankcom to leave LAMDA after ‘conduct and management style’ complaints

LAMDA revealed to The Stage on 10 August that they have launched a ‘full and fair internal inquiry into the allegations’ after former staff members claim Frankcom’s work style led to the resignations of a significant number of teachers. 

The school has confirmed that Frankcom has now resigned and that the school is searching for a new director. 

In a statement on 10 August, LAMDA’s board said: ‘No conclusions can or should be reached about those claims until the inquiry process is complete. The well-being of all our staff is paramount and the allegations are being taken seriously. LAMDA respects the confidentiality of everyone involved during the inquiry process’ adding that Frankcom ‘takes any allegations of this nature extremely seriously’ and welcomed the investigation.

LAMDA also recognised Frankcom’s work throughout the pandemic, including her work to address diversity and accessibility at the school and her steps to decrease the audition fees. A spokesperson from the school added that Frankcom will not be commenting publicly on the resignation. 

Frankcom’s departure follows a formal complaint made to the school’s board by former staff last month, which declared a lack of confidence in her leadership and called for her removal.

A letter to trustees, reported by The Stage, demands that she be ‘held fully accountable’ for the ‘large number of resignations’ among teachers. The letter states: ‘Ms Frankcom’s time at LAMDA has been characterised by a large number of resignations at a senior (and junior) level, including some of her own appointees. 

‘It is important that she is held fully accountable, by you, for her role in these resignations and for all of the difficulties that have ensued – for the staff, and, more importantly, for LAMDA’s students... She has created a toxic atmosphere at the academy’ the letter to the board reads.

It claims Frankcom’s 'bad practice' includes 'overbearing' treatment and 'open disrespect' for staff, which it says led to a 'corrosion of morale'. There are criticisms of her handling of the pandemic and also the school’s response to the Black Lives Matter movement. 

The letter states that if Frankcom were to remain in her position as director it would be 'too much to bear', and that this would 'corrode [LAMDA's] reputation and threaten its future'.

To read the statement from LAMDA, go to their website. 

To read the full feature on The Stage, click here.