Last month, our Hairdressing and Barbering Careers Excellence Hub (CEH) signed a new partnership with White&Co hair salon in Bristol. This is an excellent opportunity for students to work with industry professionals, learn new techniques and gain real-world experience through workshops. 

White&Co founder, Rachel White, is an award-winning L'Oréal Colour blonde specialist and the owner of White&Co hair salon in Bristol, known for its luxury colour services and for being a blonde and balayage expert. Rachel has several years of professional experience in the industry, gaining qualifications and awards before finally opening her own luxury salon, White&Co, in 2025.

Prior to the partnership, our Level 3 Hairdressing students took part in a photoshoot session where our students were given a brief, having to put half of the model’s hair up and use their own homemade ornamentation within their designs. They came up with inspiration and created mood boards of their ideas before executing them on their models, showcasing a range of techniques and designs that they had learnt.

Students created headdresses using customised hairbands, felt flowers, and cushions with gems and a veil. These innovative creations gave our students the chance to build skills and techniques in a different form of hairdressing, giving them flexibility and creativity when styling their model’s hair. This was a great way for students to explore new pathways and learn different techniques from industry professionals. 

Following this, students then took part in a photoshoot of their styles, using professional lighting settings and Rachel’s guidance to create a real-world photoshoot for the students to experience and learn from. This experience was a fantastic opportunity for 

Rachel White, owner of Whitecoat hair salon in Bristol, said:

“This collaboration with Weston College means a lot to me as my own career in hairdressing began with college training. Being able to support students at such a formative stage feels very personal and rewarding, and allows me to share real industry experience while giving back to the pathway that shaped my career.”

“My advice to aspiring hairdressing students would be to try everything!  When I first started my career, I didn’t enjoy colouring at all and thought I would go on to become a session stylist. Although I still love styling hair, I’m now a colour specialist and all my success within the industry has come from a path I never expected to take. You just don't know unless you try, that thing you’re scared of might just be your making!”

“Thank you to Weston College for giving me the opportunity to be part of such an exciting project. I’m looking forward to what’s to come and to working closely with the students.”

A huge thank you to Rachel for delivering an insightful workshop and becoming an industry partner to help shape the future generation of hairdressers!

This partnership forms part of the Hairdressing and Barbering Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys. 

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.