A HEADTEACHER whose village primary school was shut has switched classrooms for treatment rooms after training to be a beauty therapist.
Carolyn Clark, of Helsby, ended her 35 year career in education when Dunham on the Hill Primary School was closed in 2008 to take up a new career as a beauty therapist at Bella Beauty and Holistic Therapy, at 10 Bridge Clinic, Chester Road.
“I love teaching and I didn’t think I would have another career that I would find as satisfying but in a different way,” said the former Village Road school headteacher.
“It was a great community at the school, the staff, parents, governors and the children, It was a such a happy atmosphere.
“I was at a crossroads and I didn’t know whether to continue in education because I felt I couldn’t be as happy as I had been there.
“I felt it was time for a change and skin therapy is something I have always been interested in.”
Following the school’s closure as part of Cheshire County Council’s education provision review, Carolyn quickly returned to education as a student, completing an intensive four month training course in beauty therapy.
“I thoroughly enjoyed doing the City and Guilds facial treatments qualifications at West Cheshire College and had a very enthusiastic tutor,” added Carolyn.
“It was a condensed course and you gained a certificate for working in beauty therapy industry which is statutory if you want to do any sort of treatment.
“It was really scary, after the first week I went home and said I can’t go back.
“But I thought I’d paid for this course, quite a lot of money, so I better had go back.
“I was the oldest by at least a generation, and in some cases two, from my fellow students but went on to form a tight nit, friendly group and I still see people from the course.”
Despite her budding career in beauty therapy and years of experience as a teacher Carolyn says she has no plans to marry the two together.
“It would be interesting to go into teaching beauty therapy, but I’m really enjoying getting my practical experiences and building up a clientele.
“It can take quite a while but already I have got some lovely customers coming back for repeat business, signing up for courses and treatments.
“I now strive to provide bespoke facial treatments on Mondays to clients who range from teenagers to ladies in their 80s and male clients of all ages too.”
