The further education sector has all too often been unfairly caricatured as a provider of sub-standard hairdressing provision. Alison Scattergood, who teaches barbering and hairdressing skills at East Durham College, serves as a welcome reminder of the genuinely exceptional quality that exists in this field.

As a result of Scattergood taking the lead for barbering provision at the college, student numbers have doubled over the past five years, and pass rates stand at 100 per cent for both level 2 and level 3. Progression into employment or the next level of study is 94 per cent, according to the college, and many students have gone on to compete successfully in regional and national competitions.

Herself a renowned competitor at national level, Scattergood motivates her students and encourages them to take part in industry-recognised contests. And her own skills are impressive: in 2014, she became the first woman to be named a British Master Barber. Last year, she was accepted as a member of the Fellowship of British Hairdressers, the biggest organisation supporting the sector. Scattergood also sits on the City and Guilds national barbering qualification advisory panel. 

Because of her reach into industry, students at East Durham benefit from engagement with a large range of employers, and are exposed to the very best practice in a vibrant industry.

The judges said: “People like Alison, who are really successful in their industry, have got to be the future of teaching. Her engagement in the development of course material is as inspirational as her employer engagement.”

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