Salons are a highlight of Accrington and Rossendale College’s £4m makeover

Brand new industry-standard Hairdressing and Beauty salons are a highlight of Accrington and Rossendale College’s £4m makeover.

The bright and spacious salons are kitted out with top spec equipment used in industry, to ensure students are technically confident as they learn vital skills and get ready to become the hairdressing and beauty workforce of the future.

Complementing the enhanced salon environment and facilities is a new curriculum for the 2020-21 academic year, featuring improved technical qualifications, which are better aligned with industry demands and needs.

This includes programmes in Beauty Therapy, Hair and Media Make-up, and Hairdressing and Barbering, enabling progression into more specialised vocational Hairdressing or Beauty pathways at Level 2 and 3.

In addition, Accrington and Rossendale College’s adult provision has been revised. On offer are part-time courses to support retraining while still working, as well as fast track barbering and make-up courses for those looking to upskill quickly.

The revamped salons and curriculum are part of a much wider transformation at Accrington and Rossendale College, 18 months on from its successful merger with Nelson and Colne College – one of the leading colleges in the country.

Redevelopment work within the £4million transformation aims to bring the extraordinary to ARC and also includes innovative study spaces, a revamped specialist Learning Resource Centre and the creation of a new main entrance off Sandy Lane. There are also dedicated Learner Services and Careers areas and a remodelled and modern student Refectory.

Coming soon is the redevelopment of the college’s renowned Construction and Automotive building, as well as the creation of green space to enhance the feel of the campus and improve accessibility.

Claire Pye, head of division for hairdressing and Beauty Therapy at Nelson and Colne College Group, said: “The new salons at Accrington and Rossendale College are absolutely fantastic, and their modern and vibrant feel is the perfect setting for delivering our new high-quality technical curriculum.

“The new provision offer is cutting-edge, and it has been drawn up to ensure we are providing people with the vital trade skills and knowledge they will need to enjoy successful and sustainable careers in the sector.

“Supporting the salons and the curriculum for students at Accrington and Rossendale College is a varied extracurricular offer to develop important personal and professional skills too.

“We also complement the theory that is taught in the salons with industry relevant trips and visits, and entries to a range of exciting national competitions, enabling our students to build confidence and test out their fledgling skills against the very best peers in the business.”

Elle Gamble, 17, formerly of The Hollins in Accrington, is studying the Level 2 Pre-Apprenticeship in Beauty Therapy at Accrington and Rossendale College. She said: “I’m enjoying developing my skills through the course and the new salons at College feel so much more professional – they are a much nicer environment to be in and they motivate you to work.

“I’ve wanted to go into the Beauty sector for a long time as brows and lashes are a passion of mine – together with make-up it is a way of expressing myself and I think it is like a form of art. I practise it all the time at home.

“My tutor has been very supportive and my confidence has definitely improved. By working with clients, I am much more of people person now.”

Morgan Archer, 16, also formerly of The Hollins in Accrington, is on the Level 2 Pre-Apprenticeship Hairdressing course. Morgan said: “I love styling hair and working with colours, and I am improving my skills all the time through the course.

“I really like it when we get clients in and I can work on their hair and put theory into practice as it brings what I’ve learnt to life. We use Neal and Wolf products at College as well, which are good quality, and the new salon equipment is brilliant.

“I really enjoy the salon environment and in the future my ambition is definitely to have my own.”

Prospective students looking to apply to Accrington and Rossendale College still have the time. If you would like to apply to study at Accrington and Rossendale College, contact 01282 440272 or visit www.accross.ac.uk