School’s new academy is at the cutting edge (From Echo)

School’s new academy is at the cutting edge

5:40pm Friday 22nd October 2010 in Education By Emma Palmer

Short back and sides sir? Celebrity guest Craig Hubert with Harriet Goodrum, Sam Simms, Sammy Newitt, Connie Hibbert, Dayne Edgell and Danielle Field

EVERY secondary school has a maths block, a sports hall and an English department – but a super-sleek beauty academy?

Tresses are set to be dressed and nails buffed to the max at Beauchamps High School, in Wickford, after the school opened its own hair and beauty salon.

The glossy facility, costing £135,000, will be used by pupils who want to learn beauty industry skills as well as by adults in the community to enrol on courses after school hours.

Pupils and teachers at the school celebrated the opening by welcoming VIP guest Craig Hubert, the world and five times British hairdressing champion, who cut the ribbon to officially launch the academy.

Mat Harper, deputy headteacher in charge of applied learning at the school, in Beauchamps Drive, said: “This new hair and beauty academy provides an outstanding opportunity for our students and the community of Wickford.

“It will offer work-related learning that will make our students more employable in this rewarding industry."

Funding for the academy, situated at the front of the school where adult learning facilities are based, came from a Government grant.

The scheme has taken 18 months to come to fruition and will be used by girl and boy students in Years 9, 10 and 11, who want careers at hair salons and as beauticians.

Mr Harper added: “It is set up like a working salon, just like you would see in the high street. It’s very impressive.

“Some of the creations I’ve seen in there already are amazing. The school is definitely getting more glamorous!”

The hairdressing studio has eight cutting stations, three wash basins, as well as interactive ICT teaching tools.

The beauty side of the academy boasts a therapy teaching room with six beds and four nail bars.

There’s also a professional beauty therapy room for private client consultations and treatments.

Mr Harper stressed: “It’s absolutely essential youngsters achieve good grades in the core subjects like English and maths, but once they have them it’s important they get the chance to take courses that really interest and will stand them in good stead for the future.

“Now we have the academy, some of the City and Guilds courses the students can take will be the equivalent of four GCSEs.”