Bury St Edmunds hairdressing students let their hair down at West Suffolk College graduation ceremony

A group of students let their hair down during a graduation ceremony at a college this week.

The learners are all training at the at the West Suffolk College Academy of Hair and Beauty Studies, in Bury St Edmunds.

During the last week of their course, a group of 16 students were given a chance to take part in a five-day finishing school that has been created by the Fellowship for British Hairdressing.

At the end of the week, the work of the trainees was graded and all who participated in the programme successfully made the cut by passing.

To celebrate their efforts, the current and vice president of the Fellowship came down to the educational establishment to hand out certificates.

Victoria Purvis, 25, is on a level three technical diploma in hairdressing. “The finishing school is all about elevating your skill and talent and making sure you are at a level of excellence.

The Elem hair employee added: “I got a distinction and I think with hairdressing, there is never a finish to your learning, so having a graduation is quite exciting and it gives you recognition for your hard work. It was amazing.”

Bobby Barnes, 19, From Brandon is a barbering student who graduated with a distinction.

Bobby said: “It’s been a great week, and my result (distinction) is the proof in the pudding. I leant different advanced techniques from some of the best in the business. Graduation feels like a big achievement.”

The vice president of the Fellowship is Ashleigh Hodges. (Ashleigh will become president in two weeks). She said: “West Suffolk College is one of our Fellowship Centres of Excellence and it is the only college in the country that is part of that scheme.

“The students have been incredible. West Suffolk is one of the most incredible colleges I’ve ever been to.”

Marnie Williams is the head of hair and beauty academy at the college. She said: “This event celebrates the best of hairdressing and barbering in East Anglia.

“The finishing school bridges the gap between education and employment.

“We feel very lucky to have some of the best and most outstanding hairdressers in the country from the Fellowship supporting our students.

“We have lots of grand plans for the future but today, seeing the students graduate in front of their families was a very special moment and I feel tremendously proud.”