Five staff went to Blackpool to the Association of Hairdressers & Therapists Gala Dinner Awards, to represent the 25-strong team of teaching and support staff of the Academy of Hair & Beauty Studies at West Suffolk College, winning the Individual Support for Learners award in competition with nine other colleges across the country.
The Academy team focus on delivering high quality teaching, Destination Distinction is our mantra. We have 320 students, delivering Certificates, Technical Qualifications, Professional Standards and VRQ’s to students of all ages and levels.
Students are actively engaged in self-study. Attendance is excellent with extremely good ownership and commitment. Attendance to Maths and English is positive with particularly good remote activity recorded. During lockdowns, front loaded theory and underpinning knowledge, meant returning to focus on practical skills learning, revision, repeat and coaching once ‘personal care services’ sector could re-open. Using a fresh approach and innovative ideas, staff and students deserve recognition for their positive outlook, engagement & resilience as the year changed approach to teaching, learning and assessments many times.
We have exceptionally strong links with industry experts and employers, we planned face-to-face and remote sessions weekly during lockdowns, our qualifications are endorsed by Regional and National companies, who assist us delivering & assessing exceptional training in our Academy.
Taking advantage of the Tuition Fund, we put in place extra sessions for students to catch up, re-focus and be ready for the exam and assessment period in May/June 2021.
Technical qualifications achievement was excellent, two thirds of cohorts achieved higher grades, Merit, Distinction and the best achievement of Distinction* since we introduced them.
The Academy have always been dedicated to creating outstanding learning experiences for our students, in this unusual time we have been driven to do more, be more creative and learn the value of personal development. Staff development raised standards across the team, focused training from outside professional educators facilitating training to build confidence and effectiveness, ensuring a positive learning experience for students.
The Academy is part of a pilot scheme to coach and mentor staff to improve performance across all subjects for UK Skills, the impact has already seen planned
Mock Synoptic/EPA’s happening, staff have introduced ‘stress testing’ resulting in clear focused feedback, ensuring preparedness for final EPA.
Students have been encouraged to enter national competitions, students placed in finals of a broad range of competition categories.
- Concept Hair Magazine, so impressed by the number of entrants and finalist places gained, they set up a Zoom with students to interview them about their experiences and inspirations.
- Level 3 hairdresser got through to the third round of UK Skills.
- AHT competition had 3 x L3 MUA students placing in finals; one received ‘highly commended’.
- Level 2 Apprentice: Finalist - ‘Hair & Beauty Association’ awards, Apprentice of the Year Finals.
- Level 2 Apprentice: ‘Student of the Year’ in East Anglian Business Awards.
- Level 3 Apprentice: The Fellowship ‘Art Club’ team.