Transfer of School of Textiles from Borders to Edinburgh 'recommended'

EXCLUSIVE by LESTER CROSS 

The "progressive transfer" of the world-renowned School of Textiles and Design's (SoTD) activities from its Scottish Borders base in Galashiels to the Edinburgh campus of Heriot-Watt University is being examined by a review group following a recommendation from the university court.

Any decision to remove the educational facility from the Borders will almost certainly meet with strong local resistance as there has been a 'wool textile college' presence in the town for over 140 years. The School is a centre of excellence in design and dates back to 1883, when classes in weaving, dyeing and chemistry were introduced to train workers for local textile businesses.

And although the manufacture of cloth and knitwear has declined dramatically in the region over recent decades, the School of Textiles has retained a global reputation with leaders of fashion. It attracts students from all over the world.

Following the recommendation from members of the Court early last year, the ruling body established a Borders Strategic Review Oversight Group chaired by chartered accountant Marta Phillips. She is also a member of the Court. The group is expected to conclude its work (including a final report) by the end of July. 

According to Heriot-Watt: "The purpose of the Borders Strategic Review Group is to provide oversight of the Strategic Review agreed at the Court meeting in March 2023 in relation to the University’s presence and impact at the Scottish Borders Campus, advising on the detailed plans as they are developed. 

"The work sits in the context of Strategy 2025 and discussions about the longer-term future Strategy 2035. The Group will receive reports from the Borders and Global Design Futures Programme so it can oversee progress, consider and advise on risks and issues, and provide onwards reporting to the University Executive, Court and its Committees. The Group will operate with delegated authority from Court for approval of budgets and decisions relating to the delivery timelines."

And under its Terms of Reference the university court has delegated authority to the Borders Review Oversight Group to oversee, advise and report on the Strategic Review of the Borders Campus and the specific plans based on the recommendations approved by Court in February 2023.

These were: "1 - Reshaping and reframing Borders Campus activities to contribute to the South of Scotland, engaging all Schools; 2 - Working across all Schools and Campuses to realise future opportunities to achieve excellence in design, in teaching and research 3 - Consulting the Scottish Funding Council, Scottish Government, local government and people, and other relevant stakeholders, including Borders College, in the development of the plans. 

"The consultation was expected to shape and inform the approach to the three recommendations above and allow the University to develop the more detailed plans that the Court wished to receive in order to fully consider the remaining recommendations. These were: • Progressively transferring Borders Campus School of Textiles and Design (SoTD) activities to the Edinburgh Campus; and • Maintaining SoTD academic identity with planning to include opportunities for integration with a larger School.

Review Group members are also tasked with evaluating and advising on "the planning scenarios brought forward by the Executive on the recommendations, reporting to the University Executive, the Court and its Committees to help assure effective, informed decision making in relation to the Strategic Review and its outcomes."

University Court minutes from December 2023 include the following references to the ongoing review.

"The current focus was on strands of work that were time critical for July 2024, including decisions regarding use of space at the Borders College. The overall aim of the Review was to ensure a better student and staff experience at the Borders Campus, as well as developing a portfolio that was attractive for students, aligned to the local economy in the region and to the University’s global work. 

"The Vice-Principal and Provost reported that the current recommendations focused on teaching activity, with consideration of research activity to follow in 2024. As previously agreed with the Court, the University would not be withdrawing from the Borders and was therefore considering what opportunities there were to better align its offering with local and regional requirements."

In view of the importance of the issue to the Borders, we asked Heriot-Watt University  if the progressive transfer of the SoTD from the Borders Campus to the Edinburgh Campus was still under consideration, or had the idea been dropped? 

And, in addition we asked: "How will the University ‘better align’ its offering at its Borders Campus; and - What was the rationale behind the formation of the Borders Oversight Review Group?"

Today we received the following response:

"Is the progressive transfer of the SoTD from the Borders Campus to the Edinburgh Campus still under consideration, or has the idea been dropped? 

The University has been carrying out a Strategic Review, considering options which will best refine and enhance our contribution to the Borders, and more broadly to the South of Scotland. We have been working closely with the Borders College and will be finalising the outcomes of our Strategic Review in the coming months. 

How will the University ‘better align’ its offering at its Borders Campus?

Our plans are focused on improving student experience, including social engagement and access to support. We aim to ensure that the balance of activities between all our campuses provides a first-class experience and enables staff and students have access to the services required to support a flourishing community.  

As the skills audits for the South of Scotland have also shown, student demand for courses has changed in recent years. We are also considering how best to align our offer with the skills needs in the region alongside preferred study choices of our students while also continuing to work in partnership with Borders College and other FE providers where practicable. 

What was the rationale behind the formation of the Borders Oversight Review Group?

The University’s governing body, the Court, established the Oversight Group to provide oversight, advice and reporting throughout the Strategic Review process."

In an attempt to clarify the situation regarding the proposed transfer of SoTD to Edinburgh we contacted Heriot-Watt again to suggest the recommended re-location remains an option under consideration.

We were told: "For guidance, the University is not planning an immediate change to its Borders Campus".

As well as the historic site in Galashiels, SoTD operates in a new state-of-the-art campus in Dubai.

The Borders facility received a £31 million refurbishment in 2009, and the 50 staff and 500 students have studio space, workshops and dyeing and chemistry laboratories. The campus is jointly used with Borders College although the two institutions maintain their independence.

The SoTD website declares: "Described by Dame Vivienne Westwood as “The best in the UK”, our facilities have been tailor made to help students thrive."