Hairdressing Level 1

Learn by doing as you develop practical hairdressing and barbering skills in a professional salon environment.

You will start with the essential techniques, knowledge and professional behaviours used in the hair industry. As your confidence grows, you will practise salon services, develop your client care skills and learn how a professional salon operates.

You will explore:

• Health and safety in the salon
• Shampooing and conditioning hair
• Basic hair styling techniques
• Introduction to barbering services
• Client care and communication
• Salon reception duties
• Customer service
• Working effectively as part of a salon team
• Presenting a professional image
• Understanding the hairdressing and barbering industry

Practical sessions will give you regular opportunities to develop your techniques through demonstration, guided practice and repeated experience. You will learn how to prepare clients, use products and equipment safely and develop the professional behaviours expected in a salon.

Alongside your hairdressing skills, you will develop wider skills such as communication, teamwork, organisation, confidence and preparing for the world of work.

You will normally need:

• At least four GCSEs at grade 2 or above, including Maths and English

If you have not yet achieved grade 4 in GCSE English and/or Maths, you will continue to study these alongside your main programme.

You will get the most from this programme if you:

• Have a genuine interest in hairdressing or barbering
• Enjoy practical, hands-on learning
• Like working with other people
• Have a friendly and professional approach
• Are willing to practise techniques to improve your skills
• Can listen to feedback and use it to improve your work
• Pay attention to detail
• Understand the importance of hygiene, safety and personal presentation
• Are willing to become more organised and responsible for your own work

You do not need to arrive with existing hairdressing skills. A positive attitude, willingness to learn and interest in working with clients are more important.

VTCT NVQ Level 1 Certificate in Hairdressing and Barbering

The most common next step is Hairdressing Level 2 at Newbury College, where you can develop professional cutting, colouring and styling techniques and work more independently with clients.

Depending on your interests and progress, you could also explore apprenticeships or other routes within the hair and beauty industry.

Possible next steps include:

• Hairdressing Level 2 at Newbury College
• A hairdressing apprenticeship
• A barbering apprenticeship
• Further training in barbering or specialist hair services
• Entry-level salon, reception or customer service roles

With further training and experience, you could progress towards careers in hairdressing, barbering, styling, colouring, salon management or self-employment.

The Hairdressing and Barbering qualification is assessed through practical tasks and assignments completed throughout the programme.

Your practical skills will be assessed as you demonstrate salon techniques and services. You will need to show that you can prepare appropriately, work safely, communicate professionally and apply the techniques you have developed.

Your tutors will provide feedback throughout your practical work and assessments to help you improve your techniques, develop your confidence and build evidence of your achievement against the assessment criteria.

Your knowledge and understanding may also be assessed through written or online activities.

English and Maths, where studied alongside your programme, are assessed separately and may include exams.

You should expect to complete around 4 hours of independent study each week.

This may include:

• Revising hairdressing theory
• Learning salon routines
• Completing written work
• Researching products and techniques
• Preparing for assessments
• Organising assessment evidence
• Reviewing feedback from practical sessions

Your independent study will support the practical skills you develop in College.

Your tutors will review your progress and provide feedback, but you will also be expected to become increasingly responsible for completing work on time and preparing for assessments.

You will develop your professional skills through practical experience in the College's in-house salon, including opportunities to work with clients as your skills develop.

Depending on the opportunities available during your programme, you may also:

• Gain experience in an external salon or barbershop
• Meet hair professionals and guest speakers
• Learn about different careers within the industry
• Visit professional workplaces
• Take part in industry-inspired activities
• Develop salon reception and customer service skills

These experiences will help you build confidence, professionalism and an understanding of the standards expected when working in the hair industry.

• All full-time students are asked to contribute £15 towards the College Subscription Fund
• You will need to wear the required Hairdressing uniform during practical salon activities
• You will need a Hairdressing kit containing the equipment required for practical sessions
• Details and costs for the uniform and kit will be provided before enrolment
• Optional workshops, trips, visits or additional qualifications may have an additional cost, and you will be given information in advance