Shears Academy

Shears Academy is a specialist hairdressing and barbering training provider based in Catford, south‑east London, delivering government‑funded apprenticeships and private courses. The academy focuses on vocational, work‑based learning, with apprentices typically employed in a salon or barber shop for at least 30 hours per week while attending the academy one day a week to fulfil their off‑the‑job training requirement. Shears Academy offers Apprenticeships in Hairdressing Level 2, Advanced Apprenticeships in Hairdressing Level 3, and Apprenticeships in Barbering Level 2, alongside self‑funded City & Guilds NVQ Level 2 programmes in hairdressing or barbering and privately funded Level 3 options for those not eligible for government funding. They also provide self‑funded basic and refresher hairdressing courses, the TAQA (Assessor) Award, salon taster and after‑school sessions, and 14–16 specialist vocational training for school students. Training includes practical skills, theory, employment rights and responsibilities, personal development, behaviours and values, and functional skills in English and maths where required. The academy emphasises small classes, one‑to‑one support, and a safe, inclusive environment designed to help learners progress into or within the hairdressing and barbering industry and meet employers’ skills needs.