Award-winning celebrity hairdresser Lee Stafford is opening his first Academy in Wales at NPTC Group of Colleges.
He will work with the Hair and Applied Therapies team at the College and help deliver first class Michelin Star standard training. The experienced teaching staff will undergo intense training the Lee Stafford ‘recipe’ way so they can pass on the knowledge to the students that are on their courses.
Students at Afan College have already received an impromptu masterclass from the celebrity hairdresser, who took time out of his busy schedule to demonstrate his recipe for a ‘Twisted Tong’. While running through his curling technique, Lee talked to Hairdressing and Applied Therapies students about his path to stardom. From humble beginnings as an enthusiastic amateur cutting hair in his parents’ dining room, Lee has become one of the most recognised names in the industry.
He puts this success down to a positive attitude and self-belief, tempered with a healthy dose of luck. During the hour-long session, Lee explained how the will to succeed had pushed him to enter – and win – the British Men’s Hairdresser of the Year award in 2001. A memorable acceptance speech led, serendipitously, to him becoming the resident celebrity hairdresser on This Morning, ITV’s flagship daytime TV show. Launching his own product range cemented his place as one of the UK’s most admired hairdressers.
But, despite his success, Lee has never forgotten his roots, and is still very thankful for those formative dining room years. “It’s great to be able to give something back to students,” he said. “I’m very passionate about giving young professionals the best opportunity for a good education within hairdressing. I really look forward to working with NPTC Group of Colleges where we will be working with the students to develop really strong techniques and great attitudes in preparation for their careers in the hairdressing industry.”
Juliana Thomas, Head of School for Hairdressing and Applied Therapies, said the Lee Stafford name enabled NPTC Group of Colleges to increase its profile and provide a fantastic student experience.
“As part of the Lee Stafford Education Academy, we can offer the best educational opportunities to the brightest and best hairdressing students in Wales. We’ve always delivered the highest quality of education and training, but this allows us to give our students truly more than just an education,” she added.
Pic Caption: Masterclass by Lee Stafford who visited Afan College, part of NPTC Group of Colleges.
