The experience is just one the school is offering to aspiring Hair and Beauty students – who next week (Wednesday 1st May) will be able to attend a specialist careers fair, which will feature professional hairdressers and beauticians, as well as education and training providers.

Amongst those attending are course leaders from Lewisham College, which will be running taster sessions for students to visit the college and familiarise themselves with the course and campus.

Annmarie Ebanks, Higher Level Teaching Assistant at Vanguard School, who has organised the fair, said: “We aim to provide our students with as much information as we can about the opportunities beyond school, and Hair and Beauty is just one of the careers pathways we have introduced them to this year. We could not do it without the support of local employers and colleges, and I am really grateful to everyone who will be joining our fair next week.”

Stuart Parker-Tyreman, Principal, Vanguard School, said: “We work hard to support our students to reach their potential and to move on to something rewarding and fulfilling when they leave us. Yet from experience we know some autistic young people can find taking that next step daunting. That is why partnerships like this one with Lewisham College are important, for giving students the opportunity to experience a busy campus, and have a taste of what study, and a career, in Hair and Beauty might be like, so that they can move on with confidence. And based on Mr Zahariev’s haircut, I believe we already have some talented barbers and beauticians in our midst!”