OA-Nene Valley is set to expand vocational opportunities for students thanks to new funding secured by Olive Academies Foundation from Lujenna Educational Trust. The funding will support our Hair & Beauty curriculum, helping to strengthen vocational learning, accredited study and career progression.
The two-year grant - worth £5,250 in year one and £5,000 in year two - will support the development of a fully refurbished and newly equipped Hair & Beauty classroom, ready to open at the start of the next academic year in September.
The new facility represents a significant investment in vocational learning and will provide students with greater access to industry-relevant experiences and qualifications linked to post-16 education and employment opportunities.
Currently, the Hair & Beauty provision is delivered in a smaller upstairs room, limiting capacity and accessibility. The new downstairs space will more than double student access, with three hair stations and two nail stations to support practical, hands-on learning.
Phase one of the project will focus on creating the foundations for the new classroom, including plumbing, electrics and specialist equipment such as sink units, styling chairs and hair and nail workstations. A second phase, planned for early 2027, will focus on upgrading equipment and expanding provision further.
The new space will also create opportunities to expand outreach support for mainstream schools. With a separate entrance and increased accessibility, the facility will be able to host Tier 2 outreach sessions during the school day without disrupting academy operations — widening access to vocational experiences for more young people across the local area.
Due to the generous support from Lujenna Educational Trust, delivered through the foundation, we can create new opportunities for students and strengthen pathways into further education and employment, helping more young people take positive next steps and reducing the risk of them becoming not in education, employment or training (NEET).
The investment reflects the academy’s commitment to broadening opportunities, personalising learning and helping young people engage with education through meaningful, career-focused experiences beyond the core curriculum.