Year 10 and 11

The VTCT Level 2 Certificate in Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy (VRQ) is a Technical Award specifically for 14-16 year olds. This qualification aims to support young people to:

•  develop a broad and comprehensive understanding of the hair and beauty sector
•  develop knowledge which spans the entire vocational sector and related industries
• develop academic study and transferable skills that will support progression within the hair and beauty sector and more broadly

This qualification includes two mandatory units that can be applied to any sector or vocational area. In this qualification, learners will use hairdressing and beauty therapy and related industries (i.e. retail, leisure, fashion, marketing, media, business) to develop themselves and, in particular, the skills and attributes prized by employers, further education colleges and higher education institutions. The units that make up this qualification include:

- Understanding the hair and beauty sector (mandatory) - in this unit learners will develop an understanding of the structure and importance of the hair and beauty sector. They will also learn about the products used, and services and treatments provided throughout the sector as well as career opportunities.

• Hair and beauty research project (mandatory) - in this unit learners learn how to plan a hair and beauty research project. Learners will then produce a research proposal and conduct their research into a particular topic area of the hair and beauty sector.
• Business enterprise in hair and beauty (optional) - in this unit learners will research and develop new ideas for a business enterprise in hair or beauty.
• Marketing and promotions in hair and beauty (optional) - in this unit learners will look at a hair or beauty business and then develop their own marketing materials and activities to support a product or service.
• Hair and beauty science (optional) - in this unit learners will develop an understanding of the chemistry of hair and beauty products. They will also learn about the anatomy of the skin and hair and produce a formulation for a hair and beauty product.
• Responding to a hair and beauty design brief (optional) - in this unit learners will develop an understanding of design briefs throughout the hair and beauty sector. They will then be set a specific design brief to which they have to respond by researching the area, presenting their ideas and justifying their choices

Through undertaking this qualification learners will also develop a range of transferable skills including:

• Critical thinking and being reflective on self-performance and work produced
• Use of initiative, planning and researching skills, self-management, self-motivation and the ability to work independently
• Innovation and creativity
• Application of knowledge and understanding to real life examples and businesses
• Problem solving
• Communication skills - verbal, written and visual.

In addition to these transferable skills, learning about sectors, carrying out research, exploring businesses and new ideas for businesses, planning marketing activities and producing marketing materials, exploring science and technology, and responding to design briefs are all general skills that be applied to a vast range of topics and will prepare learners to progress to further learning in a broad range of subject areas

Year 12

The VTCT Level 2 Extended Diploma in Beauty Therapy is a Technical Certificate qualification aimed at learners aged 16-19 who are in a full-time Level 2 education programme and wish to pursue a career as an employed and/or self-employed beauty therapist.

There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification but in order to optimise their chances of success, a learner will ideally hold a Level 1 qualification or equivalent in beauty therapy

This qualification is based on the national occupational standards for beauty therapy and includes all the required elements to work effectively as a beauty therapist. Learners must achieve all mandatory units which include:

• Health safety and hygiene
• Consultation techniques and client care
• Manicure treatments
• Pedicure treatments
• Waxing services
• Facial treatments
• Skin type analysis
• Eyebrow shaping services
• Eyelash and eyebrow tinting services
• Make-up applications
• Anatomy and physiology for beauty therapists

Throughout this qualification, learners will develop their knowledge and understanding of relevant anatomy and physiology and health and safety. They will also develop the knowledge, understanding and skills to consult with clients whilst providing a range of beauty treatments including facial treatments, skin analysis, manicure, pedicure, waxing, eyelash/eyebrow treatments and make-up applications. In parallel, learners will develop their communication and customer service skills, their awareness of environmental sustainability and their commercial skills, all of which are valued highly by employers. Problem solving, team working and research skills will also be developed. Learners who achieve this qualification are eligible to become members of the British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (BABTAC) or Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT). As a beauty therapist, learners could progress directly into employment in a variety of contexts, which include:

• commercial salons
• destination/day spas
• independent/self-employed/mobile/home-based settings
• care homes

Whilst the primary purpose of this qualification is to prepare learners for employment, learners may choose to develop their knowledge and skills further by completing a specialist qualification at Level 3 in one or more of the following areas:

• beauty therapy
• holistic therapies
• sports therapy

Year 13

The VTCT Level 3 Extended Diploma in Massage Therapies is a technical level qualification aimed at 16-18 learners who are in a full-time Level 3 education programme and wish to pursue a career as an employed and/or self-employed massage therapist.

There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification although it is likely that learners will hold a Level 2 beauty therapy or equivalent qualification.

This qualification is based on the national occupational standards for massage therapy and includes all the required elements to work effectively as a massage therapist. Learners must achieve all mandatory units which include:

• Health and safety in the salon
• Client care and consultation
• History and origins of massage therapies
• Swedish massage
• Stone therapy
• Indian head massage
• Anatomy and physiology for the face and body systems
• Promote and sell products and services
• Contribute to the effective running of a business

This qualification will develop learners' knowledge and understanding of relevant anatomy and physiology, health and safety, the history and origins of massage therapies and how to effectively contribute to the overall running of a business. Learners will also develop the knowledge, understanding and skills to consult with clients, successfully promote and retail products, whilst also providing a variety of massage therapies. In parallel, learners will develop their communication and customer service skills, their awareness of environmental sustainability and their commercial skills, all of which are valued highly by employers. Problem solving and research skills will also be developed.
Learners who achieve this qualification are eligible to become members of the British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (BABTAC) or Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT). As a massage therapist, learners could progress directly into employment in a variety of contexts, which include:

• commercial salons
• destination/day spas
• massage clinics
• independent/self-employed/mobile/home-based settings
• cruise liners
• airlines or hotel chains

Whilst the primary purpose of this qualification is to prepare learners for employment, learners may choose to develop their knowledge and skills further by completing a specialist qualification at Level 4 in one or more of the following areas:

• salon management
• holistic therapies
• sports massage

Resources:

Websites linked to all the above qualifications are HABIA and VTCT website

We endeavour to provide you with our best professional service, but as you will appreciate our students are undertaking training which may mean that treatments may take a little longer than anticipated.

To enquire about treatments available or appointment times, please feel free to call us on 01494 819 806.

Open Monday - Friday
Daytimes 9.30- 2.30
beauty@swr.bucks.sch.uk