| Week 1: Manicure and pedicure induction |
| Intent |
Meet salon tools and safe set up, learn basic nail anatomy, practise a simple consultation, and attempt an effective manicure and polish. |
| Implementation |
Teacher demo on tools and hygiene. Paired consultation role play. Guided practice with a three colour self check. Visual prompts for nail parts and sequence. |
| Impact |
Students handle tools safely, communicate clearly in a consultation, and produce a tidy manicure. Tutor records progress using the three colour check. |
| Student friendly outcome |
I can name parts of the nail, set up safely, talk to a client with confidence, and complete a tidy manicure and polish. |
| What we do in class |
Induction to tools and equipment. Nail anatomy diagrams. Paired consultation. Attempt a manicure and polish. Three colour self check. |
| Red Pathway: Nurture and Re-Engagement |
Short, supported sessions that build trust with tools and celebrate small successes through paired activity. |
| Yellow Pathway: Engagement |
Structured practice with clear steps, emphasis on hygiene and sequencing, routine building. |
| Green Pathway: Core Skills and Progression |
Salon standards stressed from the start, growing independence with tools, reliable self check. |
| Cross curricular skills |
English: consultation talk. Maths: timing and simple measuring. Employability: hygiene, punctuality, safe working. |
| Assessment |
Q and A on safe practice. Observation of consultation and tool handling. Three colour check. |
| Help at home |
Ask your child to explain what hygiene steps matter. Time a small task together. Let them practise filing or polishing on a volunteer. |
| Week 2: Manicure with polish |
| Intent |
Demonstrate correct procedure, tools and equipment for a salon-standard manicure with polish. |
| Implementation |
Identify procedure and safe practice. Prepare working area hygienically. Demonstrate correct use of tools and products. Produce a salon standard manicure with block colour polish. |
| Impact |
Students produce a salon-quality manicure, demonstrating hygiene, sequencing and neat polish. |
| Student friendly outcome |
I can prepare my area, use tools safely, and complete a salon-quality manicure with polish. |
| What we do in class |
Practise the full manicure process. Hygiene and preparation routines. Correct and safe use of products. Block colour polish. |
| Red Pathway: Nurture and Re-Engagement |
With high support focus on one or two simple steps, short time on task, encouragement through paired practice. |
| Yellow Pathway: Engagement |
Guided through the full process step by step, building confidence in following sequence. |
| Green Pathway: Core Skills and Progression |
Expected to complete the whole manicure to salon standard with minimal prompts, focusing on finish and accuracy. |
| Cross curricular skills |
English: recording consultation notes. Maths: measuring polish use and timing. Employability: professional standards, teamwork. |
| Assessment |
Q and A on manicure process. Observation of technique and hygiene. Three colour check. |
| Help at home |
Ask them to show how they would set up a clean work area at home. Ask why hygiene matters before polish. |
| Week 3: Gel polish application |
| Intent |
Demonstrate correct procedure, tools and equipment for a salon-standard gel polish. |
| Implementation |
Identify procedure and safe practice. Prepare working area hygienically. Demonstrate safe use of tools and products. Produce a salon standard gel polish in block colour. |
| Impact |
Students produce a salon-quality gel polish, showing safe technique and product control. |
| Student friendly outcome |
I can safely apply gel polish in a block colour to a salon standard. |
| What we do in class |
Practise gel polish application. Hygiene and preparation routines. Safe handling of UV and LED tools and products. Block colour gel finish. |
| Red Pathway: Nurture and Re-Engagement |
Early steps only such as safe set up and handling tools. Watch demo or practise on a training hand with close support. |
| Yellow Pathway: Engagement |
Carry out the full gel polish process with tutor guidance, emphasis on hygiene and safe tool handling. |
| Green Pathway: Core Skills and Progression |
Complete salon-standard gel polish independently, apply finish neatly, and use the three colour check for self assessment. |
| Cross curricular skills |
English: consultation language. Maths: curing times and precision. Employability: following professional procedures, accuracy under pressure. |
| Assessment |
Q and A on gel polish process. Observation of technique. Three colour check. |
| Help at home |
Ask them to describe the difference between polish and gel polish. Watch a short nail tutorial together and have them explain each step. |