Upskilling Novus Barbering Teachers Across Tees and Wear

High-Impact CPD and Training at HMP Northumberland

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and high-quality vocational training for our teachers are vital in supporting the professional growth of colleagues. At Novus, we are committed to ensuring our teaching staff are equipped with the latest industry-relevant skills and knowledge needed to deliver outstanding education and prepare learners for real-world careers.

Industry Training Day for Barbering Teachers in North East Prisons

As part of our ongoing commitment to staff development, HMP Northumberland recently hosted a specialist training day for barbering teachers from across the region. The Northumberland team welcomed fellow teachers from HMP Holme House, HMP Durham, and HMP Deerbolt, bringing together colleagues for a collaborative day of learning and skill enhancement.

The training was delivered by the Great British Barber Bash, a nationally and internationally renowned organisation at the forefront of barbering education. Their team provided hands-on demonstrations, detailed technical explanations, and inspiring discussions that energised and motivated attendees.

Expert-Led Barbering CPD Inspires Novus Teachers

Julie, the lead IQA who attended the session, praised the training and highlighted its value:

“What an amazing day! I think it’s really important for teachers across the region to keep up to date with current emerging trends and techniques but more importantly we maintain the passion for the subject, something that hairdressers and barbers set out to do with this career path.

The training will enable teachers to integrate the new techniques into the practical sessions and allow learners to have the best experience. It’s been a long time since I have felt excited about learning new skills and a chance for all teachers across the region to finally meet up.”

Impactful Professional Development Leads to Positive Learner Outcomes

Following the session, Novus barbering teachers have already begun implementing the new techniques and knowledge into their teaching practice. The impact on learner experience has been notable.

During a recent City & Guilds External Quality Assurance (EQA) visit, the EQA highlighted the value of industrial training and its contribution to teaching quality and learner development:

“Staff work closely together to provide a very good learner experience, all learners are able to conduct themselves in a professional manner and demonstrate a high level of barbering skills, this is a reflection of good teaching practices. This supports the necessity of ensuring industrial updating is continuous and planned annually to keep vocational teachers up to date with current/emerging trends and developments.”

Supporting High-Quality Vocational Education in the Justice Sector

Training events like this not only ensure Novus teaching staff stay up to date with the latest barbering techniques and trends, but also directly enhance the quality of education for learners in custody. These CPD opportunities support both technical skills development and the learner journey, contributing to better outcomes across our education provision.

To find out more about our education and vocational training programmes in prisons, visit our News section and explore how we deliver high-quality education that transforms lives.