It is not every day that you get the opportunity to ask a former ‘British Hairdresser of the Year’ tips of the trade. So imagine the delight of the Hair and Beauty Diploma students at Kidderminster College when they had the rare chance to meet Lisa Shepherd – one of British hairdressing’s most respected names.

It was a lesson with a difference for the Diploma group which is made up of pupils from local schools: Baxter College, Bewdley High School, Hagley Roman Catholic School, King Charles, Stourport and Wolverley High Schools. They welcomed Lisa with a typical ‘chat show’ set and ‘entertained’ her with prepared questions following some lengthy research into their heroine.

The visit was made possible with the help of Debbie Macmillan, Worcestershire Education Business Partnership (EBP) Advisor. The EBP forms part of the 14-19 team within the Children’s Services Directorate and is responsible for linking local businesses to enhance educational opportunities.

Debbie Macmillan, who helped facilitate the visit, commented, ‘Employer talks such as this, from industry professionals are invaluable to EBP in giving students the opportunity to explore their potential and career opportunities, and Lisa proved to be a fantastic inspiration!'

Currently 23 pupils study the Diploma in Hair and Beauty at Kidderminster College through the ContinU Consortium. Course leader, Portia Foster, added, ‘We’re delighted to be able to offer this new and exciting qualification. It’s been a wonderful start to the new term for us - with our brand new salon facilities which have been made possible through Worcestershire County Council and having Lisa Shepherd here was the icing on the cake! I think our students were suitably impressed by her!’