Greetings from Selby College’s Hair & Beauty Department!
I am thrilled to welcome you to read our departmental newsletter, an exciting publication designed to keep you informed and engaged with the latest happenings, developments and opportunities in our amazing department.
As the head of the department, I am continually inspired by the passion and innovation that our students and staff bring to the world of hair and beauty. This newsletter is our way of sharing that inspiration with you.
In this edition, you can expect to find a wealth of information. We will bring you the latest news from our department, keeping you up to date with current trends and departmental achievements. It is an excellent way for you to stay connected and informed about the field.
We also believe in the power of real stories to inspire and guide. That is why we will be featuring student case studies, highlighting the journeys, challenges and successes of our students. These stories not only highlight the real-world application of our courses but also serve as a testament to the supportive and innovative environment that Selby College offers.
Additionally, we understand the importance of experiencing the environment where students will learn and grow. Therefore, our newsletter includes extra-curricular activities that happen in and around college.
Good luck with your exams and we look forward to welcoming you in September!
Amy O’Keefe Head of Hair & Beauty
Hair & Beauty students take on Japan
Hair & Beauty students from Selby College took part in a bespoke training programme in Tokyo, Japan - gaining first-hand insights into East Asia’s beauty industry to enrich their learning.
Students and tutors travelled across the world to immerse themselves into Japan’s fascinating hairdressing and beauty industry. Over the course of two weeks, the students completed industry training sessions at Japanese salons to build on their pre-existing skills and broaden their portfolios.
The students visited Panasonic Beauty Salon, Hair Taya Salon and Tokyo College of Hair Design in Tokyo, where industry professionals showcased the various products and services Japanese salons offer. Students trained in a range of disciplines including hair care, hair colouring, hair counselling and Japanesestyle makeup techniques.
Outside of industry training, students explored Shibuya, visited animal cafes and had a day out at Disney
HAIR & BEAUTY
Did you know our professional salon, Aspire, provides hair and beauty services to paying members of the public?
Customers are invited to choose treatments from our extensive range of relaxing beauty therapy and holistic treatments, and stylish hairdressing. All treatments are delivered in a professional salon environment with the range of treatments performed by training therapists and stylists under the guidance of experienced professionals.
Scan the QR Code to visit our Facebook page.
Hear from a Student
Poppy
“I enjoy meeting new clients and trying new things and I love doing colours. I feel more confident in services like blow dries and colours, helping me excel at work. My tutor helps me a lot to push myself. We recently met Andrew Barton and learnt new blow dry techniques which I really enjoyed. I want to work on cruise ships and this course is going to help me get the skills I need to get there – allowing me to work whilst seeing the world and meeting new people!”
Virtual Tour
Take a tour round the Jubilee Building at Selby College, which includes the College Refectory and Coffee Shop. It also includes Aspire Hair & Beauty Salons where you will be training. Scan here to take our tour.
Business Starters
Ruth and Faye from York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub came to speak to our Hair & Beauty students about how to set up their own businesses. They informed students of the grants and support available, helping to inspire our students who are considering their next steps.
Rudding Park Spa Team Session
Freya, Front Office Manager, and Lorraine, Spa Therapy Manager, from Rudding Park Hotel Spa visited the College to speak to Beauty Therapy students about careers in the spa industry.
The session included a live facial demonstration and an insightful talk covering day-to-day life in a high-end spa.
Progression Routes
After completing their qualifications with us, our students have entered a range of roles across the industry.
This includes Level 3 Beauty Therapy student Marny, who landed a job as a Beauty Therapist at four star Spa and Hotel, Rudding Park in Harrogate.
Facial Demo
In October, Rosie from Dermalogica demonstrated a pro skin facial with our Level 2 Beauty students, as well as introducing them to the Dermalogica Aspire Programme.
See the demonstration here:
Our Brand Partners
We have strong links within the industry with manufacturers and specialist training providers that engage with students including:
Group Secures Number One Spot for FE College Achievement Rates in the Region
The Heart of Yorkshire Education Group has ranked first in Yorkshire & the Humber for student achievement amongst General Further Education Colleges, also securing fifth place nationally.
This highly impressive result follows a strong performance across the Group’s 16–18 provision, with the latest Department for Education National Achievement Rate Tables (NARTs) for 2024/2025 confirming the Group as the region’s highest-performing FE college for learners aged under 19.
In addition to this success, the Group also achieved fourth place regionally for Apprenticeship achievement rates, further highlighting its strength across further education and skills training.
The results position the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group and its three colleges – Castleford College, Selby College and Wakefield College - as having the best achievement results of all further education colleges in Yorkshire & the Humber region and being the fifth top-performing further education college in England, reflecting the quality of teaching, support and student outcomes delivered across its campuses and programmes.
The NARTs are key summary indicators of performance in education and training and apprenticeships and demonstrate the percentage of students that were awarded their qualifications. Published annually, the national tables rank over 150 colleges.
I am so proud of this phenomenal accolade. Being ranked first in the region for our 16-18 achievement rates and fifth nationally is something we are incredibly proud of and reflects both the ambition of our students and the quality of education and support across the Group. These results are a true reflection of the dedication and care shown by our staff, who go above and beyond every day to help our learners succeed academically, grow as individuals and move forward with confidence into their next steps.”
Sam Wright Principal and Chief Executive at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group
OPEN EVENTS
OCTOBER 2026
SATURDAY 17TH OCTOBER: 10AM-12PM
NOVEMBER 2026
WEDNESDAY 18TH NOVEMBER: 5PM-7PM
FEBRUARY 2027
WEDNESDAY 3RD FEBRUARY: 5PM-7PM
Combining Castleford College, Selby College and Wakefield College, the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group saw outstanding pass rates in 2024/2025, with Selby College securing a 99% pass rate across its A Level programmes and Wakefield College a 98%. Castleford College and Wakefield College also achieved an impressive 100% pass rate for their T Level courses.
A significant number of its learners also progressed onto employment or higher education, including Russell Group universities such as the University of Oxford, University of Sheffield, University of Nottingham and many more.
Across its colleges, the Group offers a broad range of 16–18 study programmes, including A Levels, T Levels and vocational and technical courses. It also delivers a wide variety of apprenticeships, designed to reflect local labour market needs and support learners into meaningful careers.
