Whilst many school pupils allow their minds to drift during double maths, former Alderley Edge School student Jennifer Dawson, is set to turn her dreams into reality. ‘I have always wanted to travel the world, getting a feel for different cultures and traditions,’ this seventeen-year-old admits, and she has taken the first giant leap, by starting training in Beauty and body therapy at Bolton’s newly re-located Lillian Maund Training Centre.

Her chosen career offers some unique travel opportunities, as she admits, "Never in my wildest dreams would I ever have thought that within eighteen months of leaving school, I would have travelled half way around the world in my new career," she admits. It was her choice of training centre, however, which led to this wanderlust.

Courses at Westgate House place a great emphasis on practical skills, preparing graduates for employment. Workplace training is a key element, with all students undertaking client-based training. Classes in the modern practical and theory tutorial rooms have a small tutor-student ratio and enjoy a wide range of teaching resources, with an extensive video library. Jenny is the first to admit that this hands-on approach was appealing. "I did not like school very much but loved sport, and was Captain of the Hockey and Netball teams and a passionate Tennis player - playing competitively at Club and Town Team level. I also had Trials for the County."

A sporting career seemed a viable option, as she explained. "My other love was my horses. I live on a farm and rode from the age of four. My claim to fame was coming second at the Royal International Horse Show and fourth at Wembley Horse of the Year Show. I did not know what to do after my GCSE’s as I did not want to carry on with A levels. I would, however, have loved to have become a professional Tennis player or professional Horse Rider but was always interested in travelling, health, make-up and beauty. When I found out that Mrs. Maund had just relocated her Training Centre from Chester to Bolton, which was not too far away, then I knew exactly what to do."

Many students study on a residential basis, enjoying a high standard of accommodation within Westgate House’s study bedrooms, and the centre offers guardianship accommodation for younger students. The move to Bolton was the start of an experience which has proved to be very different than an A Level course would have been. "It was the first time I had lived away from home which was great, and within weeks of starting I was actually working on clients, under close supervision. Shortly after that I progressed to waxing, eye lash treatments and ear piercing. At the same time I learned the theory, which also included business management."

"The most exciting part of training was however the travelling with Mrs Maund. I visited: Russia, Cyprus, Malta and India, helping her teaching and assessing at various international venues. It was great," she enthused. "The hotels were lovely and we had enough time to sightsee and, of course, go to all the parties that are always held in our honour. I have to admit that some of the international cuisine was perhaps not always to my taste but at least I have tried it!"

"I am now in the final stages of completing my time with Mrs Maund and when I leave I will have gained my NVQ2, NVQ3 and Teacher Training Diploma. I want to be successful," Jenny admits, and being happy is one of the most important things in everyone’s life, and a career in beauty will allow me to become independent.

I understand that success will only come through hard work, but the profession will allow me to achieve the life-style I want."