Former academy pupil offers students free haircuts

Razwan stands in between two ladies and the three of them hold the framed certificate he was given in his salon. One woamn on the left is wearing a navy outfit, Razwan has a white t-shirt on, and has dark hair and a beard and the woman on the right is wearing beige clothing.

Image source, Gary Phelps CommunicationsImage caption,

Razwan Amin was presented with a certificate from Carol Brown and Nicki Kansara of Erdington Academy PTFA last week, recognising his ongoing support of Erdington Academy

ByCaroline GallWest Midlands

Published52 minutes ago

A former Birmingham academy pupil-turned-barber is offering low income students free haircuts.

Razwan Amin, 27, set up Razortrim Studio after leaving Erdington Academy and said he wanted to help people with the cost of living and maybe inspire the next generation of local business owners.

The academy serves an area which experiences higher-than-average deprivation levels, with more than 50% of students at the school eligible for free school meals.

"A simple haircut really does help a child's mental health – looking fresh for school can really raise their confidence and eagerness to learn. It's just a small change, but it goes a long way," Amin said.

Amin, who left the academy in 2015, has teamed up with the school's parent teacher association who will refer students to him.

"At first, we thought about offering a free haircut for prom as a raffle prize, but I wanted to do more and extend it, so that every child from a low-income background could have a haircut. I said, bring them all in," he added.

"My family was low-income when I was growing up. I used to be on free school meals and my parents struggled to get me into a barber shop because of the cost of living."

Razwan stands outside his shop. His arms are folded and he is smiling at the camera. His shop frontage in black with a white sign.

Image source, Gary Phelps CommunicationsImage caption,

Amin said he wanted to inspire students to get into business

Amin said he knows that families can feel the cost of living more during the school holidays, with no free school meals and activities to find, so he hopes his offer gives them a little more support.

Nicki Kansara, chair of Erdington Academy's Parent, Teacher and Friends Association (PTFA) and a governor at the school, said: "In my roles at Erdington Academy, I've seen many of the different struggles the children face first-hand.

"The cost of living has been affecting so many people, not just pupil premium students.

"That's why this link with Razwan is so powerful. There's potential for Razwan to inspire the children as an Erdington alumnus – he shows them that they can go from the school and make it in the real world."

Kansara's son Esa, a student at Erdington, has already taken advantage of the offer and said lots of pupils will do the same.

"When I get my hair cut, I feel like a new man, and it makes me feel more confident in general," he said.

He added: "Razwan went to Erdington Academy and now he's a successful businessman, so he makes me realise I can be successful as well. It's empowering."