A HAIR and beauty salon at a specialist maths and computing school, has been a calculated success.
Pupils are queuing up to join classes in the salon at Holmfirth High School.
The venue, named NRG by pupils, has been kitted out in striking black, chrome and pink.
It is now providing a variety of basic cutting and blow drying techniques and beauty therapies to give pupils the chance to discover if they want to work in the industry after leaving school.
And staff, parents and friends are making appointments to benefit from the pupils’ new skills.
Wendy Burrell, teacher of hairdressing and holistic therapies, said: “The students absolutely love it. It gives them a whole new slant on the curriculum. We have waiting lists of students wanting to join.”
Courses available include NVQ level one in hairdressing, Indian head massage, manicures and pedicures.
Teenagers can choose the courses as an option alongside their GCSEs or study there from the age of 11 if they attend the afterschool club.
Year 11 student, Katie Melbourne, studied beauty at Kirklees College last year and is now taking hairdressing at NRG.
“The classes are smaller and much more practically based,’’ she said. “I am really enjoying it just five weeks into the course.”
Holmfirth, an applied learning specialist school, is one of the top performers in Kirklees and is linking up with others to share its expertise.
It may also offer diploma courses in health and beauty alongside vocational NVQ courses if demand continues.
Colette Futcher, applied learning co-ordinator said: “The experience offers students the opportunity to gain a valuable insight into vocational qualifications linked to the world of work.
“The salon is a lifelike working environment to learn in and also helps students make a more informed career choice at a later date.
“All students across the ability spectrum are now able to access hair/beauty related courses either as part of their time-table or as enrichment after school.”
Former Holmfirth pupils Mark Harper and Liam Ward, who work at the Hair Room in Holmfirth, visited the salon to examine the facilities.
Mark said: “I’m very impressed at what the school has to offer. I would have definitely attended a course if this had been available when I attended here.”
