Glenrothes pupils swot up on makeup.

course: Pupils are first north of the border to study beauty qualification

Pupils at a Scottish secondary school have become the first north of the Border to study for formal qualifications in makeup.

The SQA-approved course at Auchmuty High School in Glenrothes is being run by beauty academy GlamCandy, with the first crop of pupils set to gain official National Progression Award qualifications on completing the course.

Teachers at the 1,200-pupil school say the course is not only giving the students a useful skill but is helping to grow their confidence and push them towards gaining other qualifications.

GlamCandy – which runs makeup artist courses from its base in Edinburgh and at locations across Scotland – is set to expand the courses to schools in Edinburgh and Aberdeen next year.

It is available to fifth and sixth year pupils, with 14 girls taking the classes.

The course teaches beauty, bridal and evening makeup and will give those who pass it a recognised qualification that could lead to further education.

Auchmuty head teacher Craig McLeod said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for our pupils.

“The girls will achieve an award at SCQF level 5 and a path to further education in an area that is of interest to them.

“Also, the pupils will develop employability skills while growing in confidence.

“This is an admirable investment in our young people by GlamCandy and we are delighted it will benefit a group of our pupils either socially, academically or vocationally.”

Ebony Smith, head of education at GlamCandy, added: “Our students always learn how to make themselves and others look fabulous.

“But this is about so much more than just beauty.

“Our course encourages our pupils to expand their knowledge across their whole school curriculum and give them confidence in their skills and abilities that they can take forward into their future career – be it in the beauty industry or elsewhere.

“We’re delighted to have brought this course to Fife and look forward to rolling it out across other schools elsewhere in Scotland.”

Picture: Gareth Easton. Some of the Auchmuty High School pupils getting help from GlamCandy as part of their makeup studies qualification.