Matthew Knight, one of our Media Makeup students has done incredibly well this year. As have many of our Media Makeup students, with 7 getting distinctions, 4 of which are distinction*s. They should all be so proud of their hard work, their drive and their passion throughout this year.
Matthew has not only been awarded a distinction* but he will also be going onto our Level 3 course, and he will be gaining some incredible work experience at Lapland later this year!
How do you feel about the grades you got this week? How will it impact you going forward?
“My tutors Kerry and Janice rang to give me my results whilst I was at work. They asked me how I thought I did and I said, I hope I did well. I was so shocked when they told me, I couldn’t believe it. I just cried and told everyone at work what had happened”
Did you think you were going to do well? What were your expectations?
“I thought I would get a distinction but not a distinction*”
Michaela, the curriculum lead told us how in media makeup they have only ever had one distinction* before. She was overjoyed that her students got four this year.
What do you think caused everyone to do so well this year?
“All the work everyone put in. Everyone did so well and tried so hard”
Michaela told us how at week 6 of the course, Matthew was really struggling. It was a new environment and he couldn’t keep up with all the work to begin with. Now he’s shining. He has got an amazing work experience opportunity and now a distinction*.
For Michaela, coming to college isn’t just a qualification, it’s about preparing students for the world of work.
What’s made the biggest difference to you Matthew?
“I had the potential and knew I could do it, I was just going through a lot at the time. Having my LEAP mentor’s support really helped. Someone I could talk to every few days and check-in, to talk about my feelings.”
How have your tutors been this year?
“I couldn’t be happier that I had Janice and Kerry as tutors. I really bonded with them and still talk to them now some days. They have been so amazing, if I ever had any questions I knew I could ask them. Because of all the things I’ve struggled with, I have spoken to them and they have got to know me, it felt like family coming into college. Even my peers too, we were just all there for each other all the time.”
You’re off to Lapland in a few months, what triggered you to do such a big work experience?
“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, it will be amazing to be in a whole new environment, meet new people and do new things. I go on the 17 November 2021 and come back on the 29 December.”
Find out more about Matthews work experience here
Tell us why you have chosen to study Level 3 Media Makeup?
“At first I didn’t have any thoughts about it, I thought I’ve got work experience and I would go on to do freelance. I spoke to Janice and Kerry on the phone yesterday and they told me that we know you have the potential to go far and go through to uni and now I’m here planning my studies and further progression.”
What are you excited about studying in Level 3 Media Makeup?
“Learning new skills, camouflage makeup, body paint, airbrush and stuff I’ve never done before.”
What about the hairdressing side of the course?
“I get really really stressed with hair, it’s just something I struggle with, I don’t have the dexterity for it.”
Michaela – “Chesterfield Level 3 does hair and makeup to prepare them for the higher level. If you have watched programmes like Glow Up and things like that, they do have to go back into the hair. The design has to be around everything, that’s part of being a makeup artist. It’s around the technicalities, not just what it looks like. At a wedding shoot, a bride’s hair will last all day and not fall out. It needs to look amazing but be functional.”
Michaela is passionate about the tutors in the department giving opportunities to their students through industry contacts and work experience. She told us how everyone in her team has industry connections and experience working in the industry themselves.
Matthew, do you have any advice for students coming to study here who might be nervous?
“In school, I got bullied a lot and I’ve been through so much. I just think no matter where you have come from and no matter how much you have to deal with, if you put your mind to it, you can do it. It’s so amazing to think how much I’ve achieved this last year. It’s crazy.”
Level 3 students next year will buddy up with level 2 students as mentors. They can ask them about their studies, work, college life and anything they want to ask their go-to buddy. This buddy system is going across the whole of the Hair and Beauty department. The idea is new students will always have someone to go to who is approachable and supportive.
