More than 40 hair and beauty students have been told their past year’s work was for nothing.

The youngsters at Oasis Academy’s Minster site on Sheppey have been left stunned they won’t be getting a BTEC qualification despite signing up for the course and studying hard.

Instead, they’ll be required to spend more time focusing on their English, maths and science GCSEs.

The disappointment comes with the school being taken over by the Leigh Academy in Minster (LAM) from September.

In a letter to families, the Leigh Academy Trust said: “LAM will not be continuing the BTEC Level 2 hair and beauty qualification next year.

“This qualification will be superseded by supplementary specialised support in GCSE English, mathematics and science, aimed at enhancing your child's preparation for the end-of-year summer examinations.

“Thank you in advance for your support and understanding with this decision.”

But many parents are furious with the decision.

Pupils studying the hair and beauty course are in Year 10 and are already coming to the end of their first year of learning the subject.

In Year 11 they’d be expected to sit an exam for the BTEC like every other child studying their GCSE options.

But now they’ve been told to continue studying for another 10 weeks, complete their mock exams (which will amount to nothing) and then return in Year 11 this September to have the “specialist tuition” lessons in the course’s place.

Davina Savage, of Oak Lane, Minster, says her daughter, 15-year-old Wren Charman, who wants to become a theatrical makeup artist, has been left “really, really unhappy” following the decision.

The mum-of-three said: “I was gobsmacked because it’s such a great course. It’s got such a momentum to it, it doesn’t just teach the pupils about the hair and beauty industry but also the science behind the chemicals used, how to manage a business, how to be a business owner, all sorts.

“They’ve spent a whole academic year of studying, three lessons a week, for nothing, they won’t get a grade and now they’re going to miss out on a qualification at the end of Year 11 and secondary school.”

Davina, who works for her partner’s grounds maintenance company, explained that when LAM announced it was taking over Oasis Academy it promised students studying their GCSEs would not be affected.

Part of a statement on the LAM website to parents of current Oasis pupils says: “…mainstream students currently in Years 9, 10 and 12 will transfer to LAM in order to complete their current studies uninterrupted.”

Davina added: “It is almost like they're treating the pupils on the hair and beauty course like they’re thick.

“They are the only pupils at the school who are losing their BTEC option and will be the only pupils doing this extra maths, English and science tuition.”

A LAM spokesman confirmed the hair and beauty course is the only one at the school that is not continuing from Year 10 into Year 11.

They said: “Part of this journey of rapid improvement is a new, academic approach to the curriculum with high standards and expectations.

“Our new curriculum will not include hair and beauty like the existing Oasis school, which will close.

“This decision has been made after detailed analysis of the current situation and what students require to achieve excellent destinations.

“By enhancing the focus of these core subjects, we aim to significantly improve the students’ performance, ensuring they have the qualifications needed to pursue their chosen paths successfully.

“Furthermore the BTEC hair and beauty course is being withdrawn nationally and is very rarely offered as an option for students at the age of 14.”

The spokesperson also confirmed the hair and beauty workshop at LAM is now set to be replaced by a state-of-the-art library which the present school does not have.

Dad-of-three Mark Seager says he has told Kent County Council, which has no authority over the academy’s curriculum, that his daughter, 15-year-old Maddison, will not be going to the extra core subject tuition classes following the scrapping of her course.

The 52-year-old, who lives near the cricket club in Minster, said: “She has been studying this course for a year and for the next 10 weeks she’s got to study something that isn’t going anywhere, she won’t get a grade.

“Maddison is outstanding at English, science and maths, she doesn’t need more tuition in the subjects.

“She will be missing these extra classes they’re offering next year so she can study for the other options she’s chosen.

“My daughter chose this subject to shape her future, she wants to be a hairdresser like her auntie.

“It is totally unfair and it is quite sexist. The school can continue the construction courses but not hair and beauty.

“This is the starting point for a lot of girls’ dream jobs and that has been taken away from them.

“A year of her life has been wasted.”

Tara Hughes, whose 15-year-old daughter, Savannah, has also been affected, agreed.

The 43-year-old care sector manager from Queenborough said: “It is discrimination.

“Who’s to say the next Toni and Guy isn’t in that class? This is the time children are making decisions that shape the rest of their lives and the school made that decision for them.”

Ex-prison officer Drew McLennan, of Kings Road, Minster, felt the same.

His daughter, Liah, has also been disheartened by the decision.

The Honda motorcycle mechanic said: “This course also taught the pupils elements of accounting and business management.

“It was really good and positive, especially as there wasn’t a business studies course when Liah was choosing her options.

“Some people say that focusing on core subjects is more important and I fully appreciate what they’re saying.

“However, her choice is to be in the hair and beauty industry and I feel that taking that choice away and shoving the three core subjects down their throat will create resentment and resistance rather than be conducive to a good learning environment.”

Many of the parents have written and emailed the school and also contacted MP Gordon Henderson.

The Tory, who is also chairman of LAM, said: “We do not believe hairdressing and beauty is an appropriate course at GCSE.

“The skills offered by the course can be better learnt at an older age in a further education environment, such as at Sheppey College, which already offers a suitable course.

“I am not sure why the Oasis Academy offered a hairdressing and beauty course in the first place.

“I think that decision was wrong, not least because it reduced the time available for more academic subjects, which are known to give children better life chances.

“I appreciate our decision will disappoint some of the children, and their parents, who are currently in the middle of the course.

“However, those pupils who wish to pursue a career in that industry will be able to do that still by enrolling at Sheppey College at a future date.”