Our Tutors

Jackie Hamilton- Principal

Jackie Hamilton MAR, ITEC, MCthA, BFRP began her journey into therapies with a one day workshop in 1997 and got hooked! She originally trained in Beauty at Colchester Institute (2 year evening classes) whilst doing reflexology and aromatherapy massage, Indian head massage at Brentwood Academy. She started out as a (very) mature student and didn’t have time to waste!

Jackie used to work (10 years) for Sir Alan Sugar at Amstrad in Brentwood - and no he didn’t fire her! Jackie continued her studies whilst operating her own private practice, and began teaching in a wide variety of schools and colleges in Essex.

Having moved to Norfolk in September 2003, Jackie was surprised to learn there was hardly any teaching work available (as promised) and quickly realised why - there was a need for professional and private teaching in the area. Taking a deep breath, she opened the school in January 2005 with two reflexology courses and now has many more! In 2008 she realised that there was also a need for a quality professional beauty school and offered the idea to her daughter Sam who at the time was just finishing her Business degree- needless to say Sam leapt at the chance. Now, mother and daughter enjoy a good working relationship - and both schools are benefiting from their combined knowledge and enthusiasm.

Sam Hustwitt- Director

Sam is just like her mum, Jackie, and puts her all into everything! Sam was just finishing her 3 year BA Honours Business Degree when Jackie realised that Norwich really needed a quality beauty school - so who would she take the idea to? Sam jumped at the chance and so combined finishing the degree with looking after her two small children and starting up the school at the beginning of 2009- nice one mum!

The beauty school is now her passion and she works hard to make sure that it is ‘the best beauty school in Norwich!’  She expanded the course range (not sure where she gets this from) to include an ITEC Fashion, Theatre and Media Make up Diploma which Sam is so excited about she wants to do it herself! She would too, except after having her third daughter in July 2010, she will have to hold back for a while!

Sam has gained many industry contacts in a short space of time and is looking forward to all the exciting courses and workshops she can put on for her students so they get the best experience and training available in the industry.

Zoe Parker- Beauty Specialist Tutor

Zoe qualified in Beauty Therapy Level 3 in 2003 and holds a PTLLS teaching qualification. She has worked her way up in the beauty industry working many years for Estee Lauder and Aveda. Also working as manager for Clarins Skin Spa in Norwich City Centre. Currently Zoe started her new challenge as Manager of Bannatynes health spa that opened in May 2011.

Zoe knows some hot tricks in the make-up and skincare industry and loves to share them with her students.

Zoe completed a Reflexology course with us in 2007 and is longing to do more therapy courses as soon as she has some spare time on her hands! When Sam  was looking for a beauty therapy tutor, Jackie immediately told her about Zoe as she had been her student and remembered the quality of her homework, her mature attitude and how well she got on with the other students on the course – also that she was enthusiastic about her job and was determined to progress – just the qualities we were looking for!

Zoe loves what she does and her passion for the beauty industry shines through in her teaching. She is an organised and enthusiastic tutor who shares her knowledge and experiences with the students. Zoe offers great support in and outside of the classroom to all her students. A real asset to our team.

Wendy Hook- Beauty Specialist Tutor

Wendy qualified in Beauty Therapy Level 2 & 3 and Aromatherapy in 1996 and has been working in the beauty industry ever since. Wendy has worked on board cruise liners as a therapist working in a high-pressure environment dealing with demanding customers, and closer to home, has also worked for Clarins in Norwich. She was the account manager for Aveda in Debenhams for three years and subsequently Account Manager for Decleor at House of Fraser. All the tops brands, which have really high standards.

She started a family in 2007 and now Wendy works part time as a beauty therapist at Decleor where she keeps up to date with all the latest skincare trends and know-how. Wendy wanted to share the wealth of her experience, and progress in her career, and so completed the PTLLS teaching qualification in 2009.

When Sam was looking for another tutor, Zoe (who already teaches at the school and has a fab proven track record), recommended Wendy straight away as she had known her since they worked for Aveda together and knew what a true professional she was with exceptionally high standards and that her training was up- to-date through Decleor. So Sam snapped Wendy up. Zoe's recommendation has been proved and Wendy has shown that she knows all about beauty therapy and also puts more than 100% into everything that she does. The feedback from her students has been fantastic- Wendy completed a further teaching certificate- CTLLS- in July 2011, so she has many teaching techniques to make the learning environment even more fun - way to go Wendy!!

Sam feels very lucky to have found such quality to join the beauty team and now everyone can benefit.

 Vanessa Holbrook - Fashion, Theatre, Media Make up & Hair Tutor

Vanessa originally trained at the London College of Fashion before progessing to head makeup artist at Covergirl International,the first photographic makeover studio in England.

After freelancing in film and television in London Vanessa Moved to the NorthWest where she ran a successful wedding and makeover buisness, writing for local press and lecturing in colleges and to womens groups. In 1994 she won Shell Live Wire best new buisness NorthWest.

Vanessa was headhunted for Granda Satellite Broadcasting and relocated to Manchester where she worked on  their live programs as well as on programs and dramas for Granada Television, she also wrote and presented beauty segments on their womens channel, before being promoted by the then head of Granada Make up to work on "This Morning" where she was responsible for hair and makeup for all artists and presenters.

Whilst in London Vanessa also freelanced for amongst others  "The Bill",  "Loose Women" and "Never Mind The Buzzcocks" as well as providing makeup for pop groups and videos such as Atomic Kitten and Blue-and that's just to name a few!

Luckily for us Vanessa has moved to Norfolk and teaches the new media make up diploma with such passion and enthusiasm- I get excited about make up just talking to her!!  Welcome to the team Vanessa.