More than 40 teenagers at Oasis Academy on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent have been informed that their BTEC course in hair and beauty has been cancelled. Parents expressed frustration, stating that their children spent a year studying for the qualification, only to be told that they would not receive it. The decision was made by the Leigh Academy Minster Trust (LAM), which is taking over the school in September and replacing the course with additional English, maths, and science focus. This change has upset students like Wren Charman, who aspires to become a theatrical makeup artist, and now feels let down by the abrupt cancellation of the course.
Davina Savage, a mother of a 15-year-old student affected by the decision, shared her disappointment in the removal of the BTEC course, which exposed students to various aspects of the hair and beauty industry. She highlighted the practical skills and knowledge acquired through the course and decried the fact that students would now have to spend more time on traditional academic subjects that may not align with their career aspirations. Other parents, including Mark Seager, criticized the decision as discriminatory and questioned why the school was allowed to offer the course in the first place if it was considered inappropriate at the GCSE level.
Despite parents’ objections and calls for reconsideration, the LAM defended its decision to prioritize core subjects like English, maths, and science to improve students’ academic performance and future prospects. MP Gordon Henderson, who is also the chairman of LAM, supported the decision, stating that hairdressing and beauty courses are more suitable for further education settings like Sheppey College. However, parents like Tara Hughes argued that students should have the freedom to choose courses that align with their career aspirations, and that by removing the BTEC course, the school was limiting their options and potentially hindering their future opportunities.
Parents have reached out to the school, MP Gordon Henderson, and various authorities to express their concerns over the course cancellation. Some parents have suggested that the decision was made without proper consultation with students and families and that more transparency and consideration for students’ aspirations are needed. The cancellation of the BTEC course has had significant impacts on students like Savannah, who now feel that their career paths have been altered and their progress stalled. The community is calling for a review of the decision and for more support for students affected by the sudden change in course offerings at Oasis Academy.
