Barnfield College

Sharon Madu (above) is presented with the NVQ Level 1 Afro-Caribbean Hairdressing Student of the Year Award by Carol Allen, a college tutor, at the annual Barnfield College awards evening.

Barnfield awards evening

Students from Barnfield College Luton staged a spectacular fashion show with a special Hollywood theme at a gala awards presentation evening.

Thirty talented students from the large Hairdressing, Beauty and Holistic Department received a variety of industry and college awards for their hard work during the year including two awards for Afro-Caribbean hairdressing.

The guest speaker at the well-attended annual awards night was Gill Morris, author and director of the Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Authority (HABIA), the sector skills council.

Students also staged several well-received demonstrations of their term work for the 100 or so visitors – family, friends and industry - before the formal proceedings got underway.

College/course details

More than 5.5 per cent of Barnfield College’s students are Afro-Caribbean. It is the largest college in Bedfordshire and rated in the top 10% of British colleges. It was the first college in Britain to be awarded Beacon status by the Department for Education and Skills. The present learners’ success rate is 84%.

The college runs two full-time one-year Afro-Caribbean hairdressing courses – NVQ Level 1 and Level 2. Both courses start in September.

It also runs a 10-week part-time course in Afro-Caribbean hair extension services which usually starts in January. Many other hairdressing courses, full-time and part-time, are available at the college.

The college offers child-care facilities and a refectory at its New Bedford Road Campus which is home to the Hairdressing, Beauty and Holistic Department.

More details from www.barnfield.ac.uk or 01582 569600 or email sharon.hunt@barnfield.ac.uk