In 1966 the school was inspected by the Summerson committee on behalf of the National Council for Diplomas in Art and Design (NCDAD) which was charged with deciding which art schools were capable of awarding degree-equivalent Diplomas in Art and Design. The committee concluded that Guildford School of Art would not be accredited to offer the Diplomas. Surrey County Council invited Professor Lewis Elton of the University of Surrey to assess the school independently. Elton reached the same conclusion as the Summerson committee. Surrey County Council then decided that the School would award a "Guildford Diploma". Students protested in 1968 about the quality of education at the School. A large number of the staff were dismissed.