Faculty of Hair & Beauty News - Leeds City College

Faculty of Hair & Beauty News May 2011
Profile: Lucy Holden
My name is Lucy
Holden; I was a
former student
at Thomas Danby
College now
known as Leeds
City College. I left
high school back
in 2004 at the age
of 16 years where I
decided to pursue
my ambition in
beauty therapy.
This has always been an
aspiration of mine right
from the last two years of
high school, to the point of
when teachers would ask
students what we would be contemplating next. I left high school when I
was sixteen and then went onto pursuing my interest in beauty therapy. I
applied to Thomas Danby College for a place on the Level 1 NVQ Beauty
therapy course. This was a year’s course introduction in basic beauty
therapy treatments such as skincare and facials to manicures and reception
duties. I then decided to follow onto the next programme which was the
NVQ Level 2, this course was excellent and very rewarding as it gave me all
the essential, knowledge which integrated both practical and theory work.
This course was an excellent opportunity to gain knowledge and
experience on both an academic and a practical level which gave me
essential skills to carry out in the beauty industry. The course criteria has
made me realise what the requirements and expectations are to succeed in
this industry and in completion of my second year I was fortunate enough
to acquire a part-time job within the beauty industry joining the Estee
Lauder Companies Clinique.
After completing my second year I decided to enhance my development
by studying the NVQ Level 3 beauty therapy. The modules went into
more depth on topics such as Electrolysis, Face and body electrical and
anatomy and physiology subjects.
Following my college studies, I started a career working in a Laser hair
removal clinic and decided to study a Foundation Degree at Bradford
University studying Advanced Clinical Practices in Beauty Therapy, a two
year course. The first year involved a combination of both practical and
theory as the main focus of the course was to introduce university life and
the standard of work from university compared to college work.
The second year at university involved more theory than practical subjects
and focused more on research methods and professional development
planning. At this point I was still working in the laser hair removal clinic and
also working for Clinique and balancing two jobs along with my university
course. My final journey in university was to pursue the final year and
to achieve my BA Honours degree in Beauty Therapy Management. I
decided to do my final research dissertation called ‘How to Be’ which
focused on transgender clients which looked at the health and wellbeing
of transgender individuals. I was fortunate enough to be in a position to
use my contacts in the laser hair removal clinics and experience the various
issues that transgender individuals face on a daily basis.
From graduating with my BA Honours Degree, I have recently enrolled
onto the ‘Preparing to Teach on the Lifelong Learning Sector Course’
(PTTLS) which is aimed at teaching adults as it is my desire to become a
lecturer in beauty therapy.
I strive to complete my teaching qualification which will acquire a further
two and half years. Looking back on what I’ve achieved, I realise the hard
work and commitment required to succeed and if people have the self
belief and desire to be successful they can achieve their goals of achieving
anything. I never thought I would be here in this moment of time but if
you desire to have a goal, go get it!
Winning team from Cutting Corner
Here is the winning team
from Cutting Corner,
Boothtown, Halifax who
have achieved great things
in the last two recent
competitions.
Tamara became senior gents
champion at the Red Rose
Competitions, she also gained first
and second place in the senior
ladies’ events and received the
same gent’s title at the Blackpool
completions where she took first
place in the Nicky Clarke cut and
blow dry.
In the junior section Chelsea gained
first in the junior up style at both
the Red Rose Championships and
Blackpool and also came second
place with her ladies’ and men’s
blow dry. They were both trained
by Emma Watkinson a highly skilled
Hairdressing lecturer from the
Keighley Campus and salon owner,
currently on maternity leave.
‘The Hairdressers’
Student Felica
Lundgren, a
Swedish learner
participating in
our Leonardo
placement
programme,
enjoys her
European work
experience
at The
Hairdressers.
The salon owner Andy Minshill has supported our
work placement scheme for many years. Previous
work experience learners have enjoyed their work
experience and have gone onto an apprenticeship
within the salon. Andy feels that work placements
give students the opportunity to see if his salon is the
right place for them to start their career.