Empowering Success: Guiding students to victory at World Skills UK
At Homefield College, we take immense pride in the achievements of our students.
The recent success of Skye and Livvy at the World Skills UK’s Foundation Skills Hairdressing Final is not only a testament to our students, but the dedication and expertise of our staff.
In this blog post, we delve into the strategies and insights that enabled our students to excel and ultimately win at such a prestigious event.
Laying the groundwork for success
Preparation is key to success in any competition, and our tutors Bridget and Alexia left no stone unturned in ensuring Skye and Livvy were ready for the challenges ahead.
- Resource allocation – ensuring students had the right tools was paramount. Mannequins and stands were ordered well in advance to meet competition regulations and provide ample practice opportunities, so students were used to working on competition-standard equipment.
- Tailored adjustments – recognising individual needs, such as allowing Livvy to listen to music with headphones, ensured that each student could perform at their best. Staff emailed the competition organisers in advance of the Final to ensure their reasonable adjustments were met.
- Comfortable travel – Julie, our Occupational Therapist, prepared where the students were going and how they would be getting there. Special arrangements, like first-class train travel and a quiet room at the venue, helped minimise stress and create a conducive environment for the students.
“I think it takes a lot of support from a great team. At times it’s not been an easy journey to get students to this point but sheer determination and motivation from staff and students got us to this point.” – Alexia
Building skills and confidence
The competition process was designed to test a wide range of skills, and our tutors focused on allowing time for comprehensive training to build both competence and confidence.
- Online rounds – the initial rounds were completed online, with students independently answering questions and submitting photographic entries. As this phase emphasised self-reliance and the application of theoretical knowledge, staff helped students feel confident using the relevant technologies and tested their knowledge understanding through formative assessments in the weeks prior.
- In-Person final – for the final round, extensive preparation was key. Tutors helped students research styles, create mood boards and practice their techniques repeatedly in lessons. This hands-on approach ensured that students were well-prepared and confident.
- Constructive feedback – continuous practice and constructive criticism were integral to skill development. Tutors provided detailed feedback, helping students refine their techniques and improve their final designs.
“We spent a significant amount of time helping the students prepare. It is daunting and quite a lot of hard work, but, as a tutor, you can normally identify students with a skill set you will be able to develop on.” – Bridget
Nurturing resilience and confidence
Competitions can be stressful, and emotional support is vital for maintaining focus and resilience:
- Pre-event preparation – tutors spent several days with the students going over the trip plan / route and virtually viewing the College and surroundings using Google Maps to manage expectations and reduce anxiety. If there are no building tours accessible online, we recommend contacting the organisers and venues to enquire.
- On-site support – during the Final, our tutors were allowed to be present to offer reassurance, breaks and emotional support, ensuring students felt comfortable and confident.
“We were both very proud of how the students handled the anxiety and carried on until the very end. The hair designs were amazing, and they both did an incredible job!” – Alexia
Advice for Fellow Educators
Bridget and Alexia’s experience offers valuable insights for other educators looking to support their students in competitive environments:
- Identify potential – recognise and nurture students with the potential to excel. Tailor training to their strengths and areas for improvement.
- Detailed planning – break down the competition brief and follow it meticulously to ensure no points are lost. Detailed planning and adherence to guidelines are crucial.
- Team support – success is a collective effort. A supportive team of tutors and staff can make a significant difference in motivating and guiding students. Having Julie’s support from therapies also ensured that students’ needs were accommodated.
- Emotional resilience – prepare students emotionally by managing expectations and providing continuous support. Confidence and resilience are as important as technical skills.
“I would advise any tutor who feels that they have a student that could succeed in the skills test to go for it!” – Bridget
The vital role of tutors
Tutors play a vital role in every stage of the competition journey, from identifying and nurturing a student’s potential to providing tailored training and encouragement. They work closely with students to refine their techniques, develop creative approaches, and overcome challenges.
Skye and Livvy’s journey is a perfect example of how a dedicated tutor-student relationship can make a significant difference. We are incredibly proud of Skye and Livvy’s achievements and grateful for the dedication and support of their tutors, Bridget and Alexia.
“We were so proud to be in the top 7 and reach the final – at one point I felt very emotional watching the students, knowing how far they’ve come. It was the absolute icing of the cake for Skye to win gold, but both her and Livvy are winners to us.” – Alexia