The College of West Anglia’s (CWA) Wisbech campus welcomed students from West Suffolk College on 13th May 2025 for an exciting inter-college hairdressing competition, celebrating creativity, technical skill and professional standards.

Students from Level One, Two and Three courses competed across a timed challenge designed to showcase their styling, cutting, and finishing techniques.

The competition brief tasked students with individual briefs, testing their technical ability, creativity, and attention to current industry trends.

Level one was tasked with creating a curly blow dry within the time of 45 minutes.

Level two had the brief of creating a bridal or evening look within the time of 45 minutes.

Level three were given a brief on creating an editorial look within the time of 45 minutes.

After a day of outstanding work and high-quality styling, the winners were announced.

Level one:

1st – Isobel Potts – West Suffolk College

2nd – Jess Pilmer – West Suffolk College

3rd – Morgan McCarthy – College of West Anglia

Level two:

1st – Ellie-May Taylor – College of West Anglia

2nd- Erin Ward – West Suffolk College

3rd – Kacey Wing – West Suffolk College

Level three:

1st – Mia Guynan – West Suffolk College

2nd – Jess Maundrell – West Suffolk College

3rd – Poppy Crawford – College of West Anglia

Sarah Smith, Hairdressing Lecturer at CWA said ‘Intercollege competitions like this are fantastic for a multitude of reasons. Firstly, it strengthens intercollege relationships, when we’re all working to the same goal of producing skilled and experienced hairdressers and beauty therapists to join the ever-increasing workforce. It is also great for the students to gain experience of working under time pressure while as demonstrating the array of skills and what they’ve learnt this year.’

Find all the photos here.