October 7th, 2020
With colleges, academies and universities welcoming students back onto courses we look at how Media Hair and Makeup Courses are navigating the post-lockdown world and ensuring their students, staff and models remain safe, while offering the same high quality close contact training. We spoke to three tutors working in different sized colleges and asked them to share their experience of the “new normal” in education and what changes they have made.
Image: Lucy Jayne Makeup Academy
Lucy Jayne is a freelance Kent wedding makeup artist specialising in bridal makeup and is also the founder of the Lucy Jayne Makeup Academy which offers a range of professional accredited makeup courses. She told us how things had changed for her, and identified the positives:
Health + Safety guidelines have always been an essential part of being a makeup artist and educator but since the impact of Covid-19 I have updated my course material with more relevant working guidelines. PPE is paramount and hygiene and safety has gone up a notch. It’s been important to Invest in the correct sterilisation, disinfection and sanitation methods and teach my students how to work in a more conscientious manner.
Image: Lucy Jayne Makeup Academy
I am having to minimise course numbers due to the social distance restrictions. Personally, I think it’s been a positive change for my academy. I am able to allocate more time to my students and they are able to have tailored support in an even more immersive and realistic environment. Due to the smaller course numbers students are able to spend more time perfecting their practical skills and I am able to mentor them without having to split my time.
Image: Lucy Jayne Makeup Academy
Claire Minehane is an Associate Lecturer SMUFX in the Centre For Film FX at the University of Bolton. She spoke to us about the challenges of dealing with a large student body and how they have embraced technology to allow students to continue learning:
We’ve just started back teaching at University of Bolton so it is still a big adjustment for us all. We have managed to plan our modules with 50% content online and 50% onsite using our facilities. This is giving the students access to all the materials, extraction and specialist equipment that they would otherwise be without.
We have also managed to schedule socially distanced open studio time for each year group which is something we are pleased to have been able to do. Each year group is its own bubble so we can open up certain rooms to allow them to continue to work independently which is core to our mantra here at Bolton. We love having the community feel of an open workshop that students can safely come in and work on their own time. Even though we can no longer offer this on a 9-5 basis, giving them designated days still supports that independent and safe working practice.
Microsoft Teams is also becoming quite a prevalent addition to our teaching resources. It is giving the students the ability to ask the questions they would normally knock on our office door to ask. As we are not onsite as staff more than 3 days a week currently they can send questions or even arrange a quick video call if they are working on a project during their open studio access day and get a bit stuck.
Image: West Herts College
Remy Morris is a Lecturer for Level 3 Media Make-up at West Herts College. She told us about the new measures they have introduced, particularly in their practical learning spaces:
All learners must complete the new VCTC Award in infection prevention COVID 19 module. before any practical sessions are taken. This gives them all the information they need to keep their hygiene standards up and understand how to prevent the virus from spreading. [Our teaching] Salons have had all relevant risk assessments and have been deep cleaned and cleared and dividers have been provided in between each workstation. While hygiene standards have been tightened, as a college all our products have always been sanitised correctly and disposable applicators etc used.
Image: West Herts College
My level 3 learners are in bubbles of 15 so they can work on each other in class. Tutors must keep a 2-meter distance whilst teaching and wear full PPE when assessing their practical application/assessments. Students must also wear full PPE (visors/face masks/gloves/ aprons/capes) when in any practical lesson.
Our entire Hair and Make-up Department must always wear a mask whilst in the building. No food or drink is to be eaten on the premises. No clothing from outside can be worn in our salons and all coats bags etc that have contact with outside must be bagged up and locked away in the salons.
Image: West Herts College
We encourage all of our students to stay off college if they are feeling unwell and to get tested if they suspect they may have covid symptoms. We have also moved all theory lessons online using online platforms Canvas and Microsoft Teams so students are able to access our lessons from home in case of any college closures or when self-isolating, ensuring all learners are up to date with their course and not missing out on any of their education.
Image: West Herts College
If you are looking to join a similar course, many academies, schools, colleges and universities are offering virtual open days so you can still get a feel for the course, the tutors and the college before enrolling. Pinewood-based Iver Make-up Academy are hosting a virtual open day on Saturday 30th January 2021 for prospective students. Throughout the event, candidates will meet the IMA team, watch live demonstrations, and participate in Q&A’s with IMA tutors. Students currently enrolled on courses are having practical lessons with enhanced PPE and industry professional Q&As via Zoom.
Image: Lucy Jayne Makeup Academy
Current Government guidance for FE colleges can be found here and for HE colleges here.
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