About Us
Established in 2008, The Norwich School of Hair & Beauty offers a range of intensive, professional hair, beauty, makeup, nails and lashes courses with fully accredited qualifications. Once you have enrolled on one of our courses, you will always be classed as part of the school.
We are a small, independent school conveniently based on the outskirts of Norwich. We teach the latest techniques, practices & theories from our fully-equipped classrooms.
As well as the courses delivered here at the School, we are also an apprenticeship training provider. We are advocates in supporting emerging talent to harness skills within the industry. We work in partnership with business owners to nurture the next generation of hair and beauty professionals. We offer apprenticeships in beauty therapy, hairdressing, and barbering.
Our school principal Sam, takes great pride in offering the highest quality training & the best qualifications within the industry. We want you to gain the most while learning with us.
In a fast-paced, ever-changing industry we’re always keeping up. Our tutors are fully qualified, passionate professionals who work within the industry. Up to date with the most advanced techniques, they’ll share a wealth of experience and knowledge with you. They develop minds and talents in a nurturing, engaging way, helping you achieve your full potential.
While you study with us, we’ll put you in touch with our existing network and share industry contacts freely. So when you leave you’ll have an address book full of useful names to help you launch your own career.
Take a tour with Sam, our School Principal...
Who's Who at The Norwich School of Hair & Beauty
Sam Cummings
School Principal
Sam started the school in 2008. Sam’s mum, Jackie Hamilton had started a massage school a few years previously and came up with the idea of a beauty school. Sam took the idea and went for it! Sam said “In my final year I was writing my dissertation on ‘Entrepreneurship – nurture V’s Nature’ and had my first 6 make up students going through their theory and practical exams – all at the same time!”
Since starting the school, it has grown and changed dramatically. The courses on offer grow each year as Sam says ” I like to have a new challenge!”
Sam left home at 15 years old and moved from Essex to Norwich, leaving her unfortunately unable to take her GCSE’s. Sam went straight into an apprenticeship for hairdressing at Norwich City College as ironically, they had no spaces left on the beauty therapy course, which is what she wanted to do at that time.
When Sam finished her apprenticeship, she travelled the world learning new skills whilst cutting hair for extra money!
Sam loves the outcome students have after they’ve finished courses. She adds “There are so many success stories that it would take me an age to write them all ! One that springs to mind is Leanne Moralee, who started her journey with the school back in 2015, she started learning makeup with us and got hooked! She completed her level 3 Fashion and Photographic make up and creative hair up course with us . Leanne now runs a very successful business.”
Sam has a wealth of hidden talents and actually has a RYA Yacht masters and used to be first mate on 80 foot sailing yachts in the Med!
As Sam has proved herself….”Dream Big. You can achieve anything if you work hard enough.”
Sarah Daniels
Hairdressing and Barbering Tutor
Sarah is the tutor for Level 2 and Level 3 hairdressing, Level 2 barbering and short courses.
Sarah has a wealth of experience and qualifications with a natural gift for teaching
After starting out as a Saturday girl at age 14 in a salon in Norwich shampooing & making tea and coffee, Sarah went on to train at college at 16 and gained her level 2 and 3 hairdressing qualiifcations.
Sarah started shadow teaching when she was 21 and has never looked back. Sarah has been teaching for over 10 years and has worked in both private and Further Education teaching all aspects of hairdressing. Sarah in a previous role progressed to being a course director for 4 years where she was in charge of the delivery and running of both Level 2 and Level 3 course.
Sarah’s extensive qualifications include Level 2 & Level3 in hairdressing, Level 4 colour technician, Martix colour master, A1 assessors qualification, PTLLS, CTLLS & DTLLS. IQA qualification!
“I have numerous students who have gone on to be very successful hair stylists and have their own salons including working in London salons, stage work and winning awards. One notable student won apprentice of the year at the college I taught at. Best of all I have had the pleasure of working with 3 ex-students that have been shadowing me as a teacher. “
Outside of work, Sarah works in the industry as a mobile hairdresser in-between teaching and looking after her little girl. Sarah tells us she enjoys spending any spare time she has with friends and family, walking our dog, going to the gym and running!
Sarah in fact ran the London marathon in April 2019. Sarah hadn’t done any running until the start of 2018 and started on the couch to 5k! Sarah single handedly raised over £2500 for Children with Cancer charity.
Sarah’s favourite moto and advice to students is.. “You never fail until you stop trying” & “No question is a silly question!”
Wendy hook
Level 2 Beauty Diploma Tutor
Wendy teaches our Level 2 Beauty Diploma which includes manicure, pedicure, make up, facials, lash and brow tinting, eyebrow shaping and waxing. Wendy has been teaching for ten years but still works as a beauty therapist doing treatments for pamper companies and has her own client base.
Wendy is an experienced therapist and decided train to teach so she could share her knowledge and passion of the beauty industry with others. Wendy has previously worked for Steiner Transocean Ltd working on a cruise ship sailing around the Caribbean as a spa therapist then for Clarins, one of the most respected skincare brands in the industry. Wendy has also worked in managerial roles for Aveda and Decleor.
In her free time, Wendy loves eating out and working out – a well balanced lifestyle!
Wendy added, the best advice to students who go on to train is to work just as hard outside of the classroom and practice case studies which make a huge difference from being a good therapist to being a fantastic one!
Kelly Coles
Level 2 Makeup Tutor
Louise Smith
Lashes Tutor
Louise qualified as a beauty therapist in 1998 and went on to work in salons around Norwich before going self employed in 2008.
Louise first started as a mobile therpist and then onto solid ground and worked from a room 2 days a week. Louise also worked one day a week for photographers doing make-up before going full time in Norwich in 2013 running a very successful business.
Louise holds NVQ level 1,2 &3 in Beauty Therapy and the CIDESCO international beauty qualification.
Louise loves to dance and has competed in a dance competition in Japan and came 2nd!
Louise’s always says to students, “if at first you don’t succeed try try again!” as no-one ever ‘masters’ lash application the very first time they try!!
Ellie King
Level 2 Hairdressing and Barbering Course Tutor
Ellie is a self employed hairdresser in a salon in Norwich 3 days a week. After qualifying as a hairdresser in 2012 with Sarah, who is the tutor on the Level 2 Hairdressing course, she became self-employed in 2015 and decided to go in to teaching a few years after.
Ellie has many qualifications up her sleeve such Level 2 VRQ and level 2 NVQ and level 2 NVQ in barbering and has just recently completed her A1 assessors award!
Ellie tells us she enjoys spending time outside of work with my friends and family and going on holiday is probably her favourite thing and exploring the world! Ellie said “I think my favourite motto is ‘The best time for new beginnings is now.’
