The Salon

The school salon which is a social enterprise run by students at the school through our Enrichment Provision, was opened in May 2004. The salon gives students and opportunity to develop key skills. Numeracy, Literacy & ICT skills are obtained by preparing:

• Price lists
• Publicity
• Advertising
• Brochures & Signs

Team Building and Co-operation skills are enhanced by working with others in different roles.

Leadership attributes are learnt through managing the salon and other students.

Problem Solving thinking is developed by working together to find solutions and meeting client needs.

Sharing skills are developed by training, demonstration and sharing of traditional skills such as:

• Mendhi Application
• Hair plaiting
• Threading

The Salon is popular with students who enjoy the creativity and the opportunities that the project offers them. The school Salon is run from a regular classroom. The Salon does not yet have its own dedicated premises and students adapt the classroom, once lessons have ended, in order to run the activity, a measure of their commitment!

The Salon has many accolades:

• An Excellence in Cities National Award (October 2004) presented by the then Minister for Schools David Miliband, for its innovation in engaging students in a creative way
• A feature in the Times Educational Supplement
• Mention on the Radio 4 Programme the Learning Curve
• Several articles in the local Newham & East London press.

Parents, Governors and Staff who have visited the salon, comment upon the professionalism and dedication of the students to the work and development of the Salon.