Deeside hair and beauty academy offers alternative to school

The team at the Deeside-based Kings Academy of Hair and Beauty was joined by Alyn and Deeside MS Jack Sargeant, to hand out certificates to the young people who had finished their course.

The academy, working alongside several high schools in the county, offers an alternative to those who, for whatever reason, don't engage with school.

The students leave with a qualification in hair and beauty, with many going onto apprenticeships or college.

Dawn Spence (Deeside Community Trust and ACL), Cllr Christine Jones, Kings Academy manager Ceri Brayford, MS Jack Sargeant, Kings Academy owner Sara King, Kay Carr and Julie Evans.

Kings Academy manager Ceri Brayford couldn't be more proud of their achievements.

She said: "Some of our graduates are through Adult Community Learning (ACL) funding, doing teaching qualifications with us.

"We're classed as an alternative provision, and the teenage students join us from high schools across Flintshire, with the funding coming from the schools.

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"Some of these children don't necessarily engage with school, don't go to school full-time or just don't settle in school.

"But they come to us, and where they would probably struggled to get their GCSEs, they come out with a qualification. It's absolutely amazing."

For Ceri and academy owner Sara King, their role in helping the younger students is incredibly rewarding.

Ceri, from Shotton, added: "From this year there are three that have gone on to get an apprenticeship, and one girl who absolutely hated school, is now working with us as an apprentice. And at least another three have gone on to the higher level at college.

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"It's so good, and I'm passionate about it. Everyone should give a damn, it gives these children a chance, it gives them confidence. It's about so much more than hair and beauty."

Kings Academy, on Station Road, which utilises it's nearby salon Oasis as a practical base, is also working on a new programme going into schools, delivering a GCSE of hair and beauty, and are the first in North Wales to be able to offer the course.

As well as also offering private tuition, the academy hopes to launch more courses through ACL funding in September, including Level 2 Hairdressing and Barbering.