Striking Gold: Skye’s Triumph at the World Skills UK Hairdressing Final
Hear directly from our World Skills UK Gold medal winner Skye about her experience of an inclusive competition.
Earlier in the academic year, we celebrated an incredible success from one of our incredibly talented Bespoke students, Skye: after successfully navigating two very challenging rounds and reaching the final, she won the gold medal at World Skills UK’s Foundation Skills Hairdressing Competition.
By showcasing her exceptional hairdressing abilities and unwavering determination, she stood out amidst the fierce competition – and we couldn’t be prouder.
After such an amazing achievement, we sat down with Skye and asked her to share more about the amazing experience of competing and winning the final in Manchester.
How was the experience of travelling to a new city for the final?
“I was really nervous that morning, so I got up early at 4am to shower and get ready to leave for the station. Then, I was a bit anxious on the train, but first class was really cool, and it felt good to experience something new!”
“Manchester College was busy when I got there, and seeing who else was there for the competition was stressful but also exciting.”

What did you do in the final?
“At the beginning, there were lots of rules and instructions, but Bridget helped me work through the guidelines step by step. Then, to follow the brief we were given, I created a bridal hair updo which included 25% plaits and a twist.”

How do you feel having won the gold medal?
“I’m very proud of myself for how far I have come, it was a big shock on the day to hear my name be called as first place!”
“I’ve learnt a lot of things in the process, like some new styling skills, how to use different products, but, most importantly, that practicing makes perfect – if I didn’t practice as much, I wouldn’t have achieved what I did!”
“I would definitely do it again, and I would encourage others to do it as well, for the good experience.”

Moving Forward
Skye’s incredible journey to gold at the World Skills UK Foundation Skills Hairdressing Competition is an inspiring reminder of the power of perseverance, dedication and embracing new opportunities. Her talent and commitment have not only earned her a well-deserved gold medal but have also set an example for others to aim high and step out of their comfort zones.
Additionally, we would also like to take the time to acknowledge the importance of Spectrum Style, our inclusive hair, grooming and beauty training salon, which provides students like Skye with the opportunity to develop their skills in a supportive and empowering environment.
We are immensely proud of Skye’s achievement and hope her story encourages more students to pursue their passions, challenge themselves and discover what they’re truly capable of. We are looking to enter more categories in next year’s World Skills UK!
Congratulations once again to Skye – this is just the beginning of what promises to be an amazing career in hairdressing!

