City & Guilds Qualifications & Professional Salon Training

Tails & Tweed Academy provides structured, career-focused dog grooming training delivered within a real working salon environment.

Built on over 25 years of hands-on industry experience, our training combines technical precision, welfare-led handling, and honest preparation for life in the grooming industry.

We train future professionals.

Why Train With Tails & Tweed?

City & Guilds recognized qualifications
Small group, hands-on learning
Real salon experience
High standards from day one
Honest insight into the industry
Ongoing mentorship and support

Our academy is designed for individuals who are serious about building a career — whether employed in a salon or self-employed.

Your Training Pathways

We offer clear, structured routes depending on your experience level and career goals.

Level 2 – Dog Grooming Assistant

10 days (Extended 15 day course also available)

Designed for beginners entering the industry.

Learn essential salon skills, safe handling, bathing, drying, and preparation techniques that form the foundation of professional grooming.

Ideal for career starters or those supporting stylists in a salon.

Level 3 – Professional Dog Stylist

20 Days (Extended 30 option also available)

Advanced training focused on styling, scissoring, clipping techniques, coat knowledge and client consultation. This qualification prepares you to work independently as a professional groomer.

Ideal for: Those progressing from Level 2 or with relevant experience.

Combined Level 2 & 3

30 Days (Extended 40 day option also available)

Our most comprehensive pathway.

A structured progression from foundation skills through to advanced styling, designed for those fully committed to becoming qualified professional groomers.

Ideal for: Career changers or those wanting complete training from start to finish.

Professional Salon Courses (Non-Exam Route)

For those who do not wish to sit City & Guilds examinations but want practical, structured salon training.

These courses focus on hands-on skills without formal assessment.

Finance Options Available

We understand that professional training is an investment.

Finance options are available through Ideal4Finance, allowing eligible students to spread the cost of their course through structured payment plans.

Full details are available on our Finance page.

Student Finance

IN HOUSE COURSES

VIEW COURSE

Student Equipment Sets

Students should provide their own equipment, a list of equipment required can be provided, although most suppliers offer 'student' sets. Below is a list of items that would be suitable for a student starting out:

Long pin slicker

Short pin slicker

Metal Comb - small and large

Nail clippers - small and large

Comb attachment set

Hand stripping Knife

Clipper

Blades - 10, 7f, 5f, 4f

Scissors - straight, curve, thinner

Coat rake

Blade cleaning solutions

We can provide a list of suppliers if needed.

Choosing your grooming school

Key questions you should ask before booking a dog grooming training course

How many years experience do the individual tutors and grooming school owner have?

This should not be collectively but how long each individual has been grooming professionally since qualified. Many schools are using newly qualified groomers to teach !! So make sure you find out.

What qualifications do the tutors hold?

A tutor should hold a minimum of a Level 3 qualification and a teaching qualification. Ideally a higher level of qualification should have been obtained, such as a Higher Diploma in Dog Grooming.

Is your school an active member of organisations such as The British Dog Groomers Association ( BDGA) British Isles Groomers Association ( BIGA) and The Groomers Spotlight.

These are all organisations which promote the industry and insure certain codes of ethics and qualification levels are met.

Are the schools tutors and owners, actively involved within the industry and promote continual professional development?

This is a key part of being a dog groomer, as tools, styles and skills are ever involving. All staff members should be attending industry related events throughout the year.

Are the salon facilities modern and up to date with the latest equipment now available to students?

Whilst a salon cannot be expected to have everything brand new, it is important that schools show the variety of tools and equipment available on the market today. Many of which enable you to earn a better commercial living from the job.

Are all aspects of styling and handling covered?

Grooming involves many different techniques, scissoring, clipping, hand-stripping, handling difficult dogs etc. Without the relevant knowledge you will not be able to successively run a business.

Will you receive on going support?

On going support both during and after your course is a key factor in insuring success. You should be able to call on your training centre/tutor whenever needed.

Is the salon an approved centre?

Whilst this does not always insure quality tutors , it’s does mean the salon should have met minimum safety and quality standards, and there will be official complaints and appeals procedures in place if any issues were to arise. If you train at a centre that is not approved through any governing body, you run the risk of low quality training and not having anyone to complain to if you were unhappy!

How many people will be in your training group?

Many schools teach in large numbers meaning you will not get the attention from your tutor that you are paying for. Choose a school with smaller groups, you are paying for the tutors time - make sure you get value for money.

PRIVATE DOG GROOMING SCHOOLS VS COLLEGE COURSES:

1. SMALLER GROUP SIZES MEANS MORE INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION: One of the biggest disadvantage of private grooming schools is the smaller class sizes. Unlike colleges where you may find yourself in large groups (its not uncommon to have 10+ students to one tutor, and three or four students per dog in colleges) with limited one-to-one, private schools keep student numbers low to ensure personalized instruction.

This allows students to learn at their own pace, recieved tailored feedback, and gain confidence with tailored coaching.

2. REAL WORLD SALON EXPERIENCE:

Private grooming schools are often run in working salons, meaning students train in the very environment they'll be working in after they qualify. This real world setting offers invaluable benefits:

Daily interaction with real clients and dogs, exposure to the pace and flow of a professional salon, and immediate application of skills in practical situations.

Colleges on the other hand, may offer grooming in more academic or simulated environments, which can delay the transition to industry realities.

3. TUTORS WITH INDUSTRY EXPERTISE:

In many private schools, your tutors are actively working groomers, often master groomers or competition level professionals with years of salon experience. This ensures students are learning the latest industry trends and grooming techniques, practical tips and tricks you wont find in text books, and how to manage client relationships and run a successful grooming business. College instructors, while qualified, may not always have the same depth of hands on grooming experience or current industry involvement.

4. FASTER, FOCUSED TRAINING:

Private grooming programs are usually designed to get you career ready quickly. With intensive, skill focused courses, students can become qualified and enter the workforce in a matter of weeks or months, compare to year long college programs.

Private grooming schools offer a unique combination of personalized training, real world experience, expert instruction, and flexible learning that traditional colleges cant match. If you're serious about becoming a dog groomer and running a succesful business a private grooming school is the best investment in your future.

Terms and Conditions

PAYMENT The charges are as quoted and payments are due as follows:

25% of the course fee is due within 7 working days of the invoice date and 50% of the balance is then required eight weeks prior to the start of the course, with the balance to reach us 20 working days before your course start date. For shorter courses please refer to the individual information that will be sent to you.

If a booking is made less than 8 weeks but more than 20 working days prior to the start date, the deposit and 50% of the balance will be due within 7 days of the invoice date with the remainder due as normal 20 working days prior to the start date. If a booking is made less than 20 working days prior to the start date, the full cost of the course must be paid within 7 days of the date of the invoice. The deposit must be received within 7 days of the invoice date to hold the course. If the deposit is not received within this time, Tails & Tweed cannot guarantee that your place will be held. If the remaining payments are not received by the required dates as shown on the invoice, Tails & Tweed cannot guarantee that your course will be held. To avoid disappointment please ensure that all payments are made on time.

REFUND POLICY The deposit payment is non-refundable. Any further payments made will be refunded only if cancellation of the course is more than 20 working days prior to starting, and the dates released can be filled with another student booking. Payments made less than 20 working days prior to starting the course will not be refunded except in exceptional circumstances to be determined by the Tails & Tweed Directors.

It is important that you have researched the roles and responsibilities of a dog groomer, which includes the capability to physically handle dogs of all sizes and temperaments and to offer good customer communications. If you have any queries these should be discussed with the tutor BEFORE confirming a course booking with payment of the deposit. If you have any form of learning difficulties, for example: dyslexia, autism, ADHD, dyspraxia, you must make this known to the tutor BEFORE confirming a course booking with payment of the deposit. The tutor will then discuss in detail if your learning needs can be met, thus allowing you the opportunity to cancel the course dates if you decide it is not for you. Whilst every effort is made during the teaching process to ensure your full understanding of all elements of the course, this is not a guarantee of a pass in the qualification. Once you have started your course a refund will not be issued in any amount for any reason.

TOOLS Students can provide their own equipment or we have student sets available to purchase for use on your course.

HOURS The practical on-site training is in modules of five days, MONDAY to FRIDAY, unless agreed differently with the tutor. The training hours are: 9:00am to APPROX 5:00pm with an hour for lunch. Due to the nature of the business and training some flexibility may be required. Home study for qualification courses is a requirement. You will be provided with course information and home study to carry out in your own time, please ask your tutor if you are unsure of anything to be learnt or covered. SMOKING Is NOT permitted within the work place. There is an area to the side of the car park that can be used for this purpose and we would therefore ask that smokers do not stand outside the salon. SAFETY It is expected that you will consider the safety and well being of all animals and people in the salon at all times.

COVID 19 PROCEDURE Tails and Tweed and its staff cannot be held responsible for any illness that you may contract during your time with us. It is your responsibility to follow the guidance given by your tutor in order to work safely. We will supply all required PPE such as surgical face masks, face shields and gloves. If you would prefer to wear your own mask, please make sure you bring one with you.

EXTREME WEATHER In extreme weather conditions where it is not possible to attend your training, Tails and Tweed will endeavour to re-arrange the dates missed but cannot guarantee how long after your course this will be. The same terms apply should the dogs that are to be trimmed be cancelled due to extreme weather conditions.

TUTOR ABSCENCE Any pre-arranged tutor absence will be notified to the student on the first day at Tails and Tweed and alternative arrangements discussed with the student if required. If during the course a situation arises in which there is no tutor on site, course dates will be rearranged

STUDENT ILLNESS Any days lost through student illness are non-redeemable except in exceptional cases to be determined by the directors of Tails and Tweed. All classes are mandatory, if you miss a class you will need to make up the missed work at a later date. All days that are required to catch up will be charged at £200 per day unless included on your course booking contract.

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE All training centres associated with Summit Groomer Training Group (Summit) are committed to delivering assessments and training in a prejudice free and supportive environment.

If you feel that you have not had fair or equal access to training or assessment, or you can identify standards that have not been met, it is in your own interest as well as Tails and Tweed’s and Summit, that you report this. City & Guilds role is to ensure that the integrity of the assessment process for the qualifications has been met to the qualification standards and the awarding body’s requirements. They will not investigate complaints expressing personal dissatisfaction about the quality of professionalism, teaching or training, or about any aspect of the agreement between a centre and a learner (including qualification payment).

To make a complaint or an appeal the following steps must be followed:

Request a private meeting with the tutor to allow them the opportunity to resolve the matter promptly.
If your issue was discussed with the tutor and not resolved to your satisfaction you must speak to one of the directors of Tails and Tweed.
If the matter is still not resolved to your satisfaction please put your complaint in writing addressed to the directors of Tails and Tweed and you will receive a written reply within 10 working days.
Any complaint that cannot be resolved by either the tutor or the directors is referred to Summit Groomer Training Group.
You will receive an acknowledgement of yplaint upon receipt.
One of the Quality Assurance team will conclude findings and write back to you making a copy available to Tails & Tweed within 10 working days.

If the issue is in regards to a City & Guilds qualification and the Quality Assurance team cannot resolve it to your satisfaction, it will be referred to the External Quality Assurance (EQA) at City & Guilds.

Please note: receipt of the first payment will be taken as acceptance of these terms and conditions. Ensure you are familiair with them before making your first despoit payment.