Students from Newcastle, Carlisle and Kidderminster Colleges have reached the national finals of a prestigious hair and beauty competition after winning big at their respective regional heats.
The annual Association of Hairdressers and Therapists (AHT) Regional Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy Competitions were held across the country last week. Hair and beauty students from colleges and schools across the UK competed against each other in 21 competition categories, hoping to gain a place at the National AHT final in Blackpool in May by impressing a judging panel of industry experts.
Newcastle College students earned a top four finish in nine out of the 21 competition categories, whilst Kidderminster College students achieved a second and third place finish in two categories. Carlisle College students also earned a top four finish in four categories, including a first-place win in the HE Half Body Paint category.
Students from all three colleges are now going to the National Finals.
Lindsay Gaskill, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Coach at Newcastle College and AHT Chair and Competition Director / Coordinator of the Regional AHT competitions, said:
"Competitions are key to student progression and are an important opportunity for our students to develop their skillset and stretch themselves to demonstrate they can succeed in industry and are work-ready, so employers look for this experience.
“They get to interact with peers from all over the region, along with employers and industry judges, which builds their confidence, time management and skills level which could lead to WorldSkills UK and future employment opportunities.
“The level of work was exceptional and to a very high standard, especially considering the study levels of some of the learners, which was commented on by the judges.
Newcastle College Winners:
- FE Half Body Paint | 1st Place | Abbie Jefferson
- Gender Transformation | 1st Place | Faye Ingles (pictured above)
- Fashion Blow-dry | 1st Place | Katie Turton
- Gender Transformation | 2nd Place | Zoe Saward
- Editorial Make-up | 3rd Place | Faye Ingles
- Bridal Make-up | 3rd Place | Anna Martin
- Fantasy Hair | 4th Place | Morgan Sewell
- Face Painting| 4th Place | Katelyn Finn
- Barbering | 4th Place | Linda O’Brien
Kidderminster College Winners:
- Team Competition | 2nd place | Kyera Hughes and Keesha Brooke Hughes
- Cut and Blow-Dry | 3rd place | Kayley Thorogood
Carlisle College Winners:
- HE Half Body Paint | 1st place | Lucy Glover
- Fantasy Hair | 3rd place | Petra Scott
- Face Paint | 3rd place | Charlotte McViele
- Inclusive Skills Long Hair | 3rd place | Alex Macmillan
- Team competition | 1st place | Lucy Glover and Amanda Savage