Somerset College

International hairdressing superstar Patrick Cameron declared Somerset College's Academy to be ‘beyond cool' to a group of future stars of the hairdressing world as he opened the new salon.

Patrick opened the Graduate Hair Academy on Monday 1 September in front of returning students and let them know he felt they were at one of the best establishments in the South West.

Patrick said: ‘I truly believe that the College is setting their students up for success. The relationship between education and creativity is unparralled. The exciting involvement of the Francesco Group and the international reputation they have within the hairdressing industry will endeavour to create a success at Somerset College.

‘I believe the students are getting the very best there is to offer. With the partnership of Wella dealing with the latest expertise in hair product technology. I personally think watch this space.

‘The new Academy will rival any West End salon, and I believe Francesco's have cherry picked one of the best College's to launch into the South West.'

During the event guests were treated to a demonstration of creative hair design by Patrick followed by a catwalk show of innovative hair creations from the Francesco Group Artistic Team.

The Academy is the result of a partnership with the Francesco Group, the fourth largest hairdressing group in the UK. Francesco Group are committed to delivering high quality education and training.

The new Academy will provide facilities for the College's NVQ Level 3 Hairdressing students. It has been designed to match the facilities found in high quality hairdressing salons. Students are able to learn the skills they need to gain employment in the top level salons.

Somerset College's Graduate Hair Academy is the first Francesco Group Academy to be set up in the South West.

Lynn Thorne, Head of Hairdressing at Somerset College, said: ‘I am so excited, the salon looks stunning and we're the first in the South West to do this. We are able to offer the highest levels of teaching matched with the highest levels of facilities to our students. Clients will have their hair cut by fully qualified hairdressers to the same standard found in any high quality hair salon.

‘The Francesco Group partnership allows us to offer the highest levels of teaching and standards to our students. We have been able to offer the NVQ Level 3 course, and are in the process of creating a Salon Management degree course.

‘Patrick leads the world in hair up styles, his displays are simply fantastic and he has excelled again tonight.'

Ben Dellicompagni, Francesco Group Managing Director, said: ‘We are delighted to be involved in Somerset College's development; it proves that business and education can successfully work hand in hand. Giving students access to highly trained staff and an opportunity to train in a professional commercial salon provides motivation and increases productivity.

‘Francesco Group has a commitment and passion to maximising the potential in teenagers and is the only hairdressing training provider to work in partnership with Colleges to help raise their levels of attainment. The benefits to students are invaluable; the training gives them real skills for real jobs.'

The state-of-the-art training facilities bring ‘real life' into the training environment. It will be run like a salon, allowing students to gain the skills and experience of working in the real commercial hairdressing world.

The new salon is due to open to the public on Monday 8 September and appointments can be booked by contacting (01823) 366 731 or emailing hbreception@somerset.ac.uk.

Students can still enrol on NVQ Levels 1-3 by contacting (01823) 366 331, or emailing enquiries@somerset.ac.uk. Students who study NVQ Level 3 will be taught in the new Graduate Hair Academy.

Further images of the event are available online at www.flickr.com/photos/somersetcollege, a video of the event is available at www.youtube.com/somersetcollegeart.