Student of Excellence 2018 – and the winner is….!

Those who have visited us here at Ragdale Hall will know we offer an extensive menu of treatments, from facials, wraps, floats and massages, to specialist anti-ageing treatments, manicures, pedicures and holistic and complementary therapies.

To deliver the vast range on offer, we have an elite team (or a small army!) of over 130 highly trained therapists committed to ensuring you, our guests, have a truly amazing experience with us.

But did you know our Recruitment Team works with many colleges around the UK to develop and nurture Beauty students, who are potentially our therapists of the future?

Of these, 27 colleges who meet our strict training criteria are awarded Ragdale Hall ‘College of Excellence’ status.

One of the great benefits of being a College of Excellence is they are eligible to enter our annual Student of Excellence competition, where the winning student is awarded a Beauty Therapist position with us, along with a fantastic employment package, an Advanced Beauty Therapy Training Programme, winner’s trophy and certificate, a cash bonus after a year in the role, and an ELEMIS gift pack! Aaaand breathe.

We recently hosted the final of this year’s competition and 11 finalists (from 18 who took part in the first heat) battled it out for first place. These students are qualified to Level 2 in Beauty and working towards their Level 3 qualifications.

Having clinched a place in the final by performing a pedicure and facial in the first round, putting the finalists through their paces during the final was an established panel of judges made up of Ragdale’s Senior Beauty Supervisors and ELEMIS Sales Manager, Giulia Oakes. The finalists were required to carry out a one-to-one verbal interview, a theory knowledge test paper and two treatments including, a 40-minute manicure and a 50-minute full body massage.

And with that…we are absolutely delighted to announce that Dudley College Beauty Therapy student Sophie Roberts is our winner, scooping the Student of Excellence 2018 crown!

Sophie Roberts, 20, from Kingswingford, West Midlands, took top prize after competing alongside 10 other finalists at Ragdale Hall Spa in Leicestershire.

On being presented with her award and prizes, and scooping a job at Ragdale Hall, Sophie said: “I’m absolutely overwhelmed – this really is a dream come true.

“The journey from start to finish has been so rewarding, having learnt so much and having made some amazing friendships along the way. I faced some challenging competition from the other finalists, but I’m thrilled to say I came out a winner. This is such a proud moment for me, and I simply cannot wait to start my career at Ragdale – what an opportunity!!”

Allison Garner Personnel Director at Ragdale Hall said: “Now in its third year, the competition has firmly established itself and the standard at this year’s competition was incredibly high, which made selecting the winner and runners up extremely difficult.

“Sophie really shone during the final and demonstrated a high standard of therapy and professionalism. Her timings were on point, and she showed such great enthusiasm and ambition. Huge congratulations to Sophie, and to every one of this year’s finalists.”

Close runners up in this year’s competition were Charlotte Wainwright from North Warwickshire and Hinckley College, and Katie Gorst from Halesowen College.

Each also secured a full-time Beauty Therapist position at Ragdale Hall along with an evening meal for two at the hall, runner up trophy and certificate, £200 on completion of one year’s service and a £40 treatment voucher.

Allison went on to say, “One of the many great benefits of being a College of Excellence is they are able to enter our annual Student of Excellence competition – which for both students and colleges alike, is an excellent opportunity to have a look around Ragdale Hall, speak to our current therapists and see what it takes to work in a busy, professional environment. As a College of Excellence, colleges also benefit from a college evening and priority for work experience.

“The rewards on offer – for both the winner and runners up – show Ragdale’s commitment to supporting and developing this new talent. It’s also a fantastic opportunity for those who are successful to have the best start possible to their careers in the beauty industry.

Sophie, Charlotte and Katie faced tough competition from eight other finalists, including:

• Sarah Anderson, Oxford International College of Beauty
• Kayla-Lynn D’Oliveria – Tresham College
• Laura Jackson, Peterborough Regional College
• Ingrida Jonikaite, Peterborough Regional College
• Lauren Marioni, Oxford International College of Beauty
• Friday Merrills, Derby College
• Amelia Walker, New College Stamford
• Jessica Wilson, Derby College

Congratulations to Sophie, Charlotte and Katie – we can’t wait to see you at Ragdale soon!