Derwen dance workshop

Performing Arts students enjoyed a dance workshop and question and answer session with professional dancer Chloe Yeomans yesterday.

Welcome to our new Nurture sensory room

A new sensory room in our Nurture Centre is up and running, and it looks (and feels and sounds) amazing!

The Nurture Centre sensory room offers a dedicated space for therapeutic development and sensory play, which students can control and personalise; and it’s proving to be a big hit.

The room features a vibrating plinth, light tube, sensory wall panels, an image projector, and an interactive music system. All are designed to give students maximum control of their surroundings.

Our Nurture students – who have profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) – are benefitting hugely from this new state-of-the-art provision. The room was designed by Premier Solutions, the team behind our hydrotherapy pool which opened in 2019.

The equipment all features easy-to-operate controls so that students can manipulate their own environment. The speakers are paired up with Spotify and Alexa, so that students can choose their own music, and select it using eye gaze technology.

Personalised experience for Jake

Jake (pictured above) is a big Liverpool fan, so likes to listen to Gerry and the Pacemakers classic ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone.’

PMLD pathway lead Beverley Simmonds, says that there are plans to personalise the projecting images as well. This would mean that Jake could enjoy images of his favourite team too. She says:

“We are really happy with the sensory room, and particularly like the fact that we can make it bespoke for our students who use it. It’s also important that students can use the equipment to control their own environment. Using the hoist and walking jacket, a student who is usually in a wheelchair, can walk safely around the room. They can access everything and select their own activities.

“Using the Alexa app, connected to speakers, students who are non-verbal can use eye gaze technology to select their own music.”

The Sensory Room is a phased project, with room for further features to be added in the future.

Our Nurture programme was launched last year. We currently have three students enrolled, with space to accommodate up to eight students in the future.

Making a difference across the globe

Derwen College is excited to be sharing our expertise in the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) sector with educators in the Middle East.

We are happy and privileged to demonstrate our expertise, values and practices which make us a leading specialist college for people with SEND. So, we will be part of the global Arab Health Exhibition from 24 to 27 January at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

The event follows our participation in the Dubai-based Al Noor Centre 40^th Anniversary Global Summit in December.  Derwen College Principal & CEO Meryl Green, and Head of Curriculum Zoe Wood, were invited to speak. Delegates were interested in the College’s global expertise in vocational and employability training for people with SEND.

Covid travel restrictions have prevented Meryl and Zoe from attending the Arab Health Exhibition in person. However, the College is attending virtually as part of the Department for International Trade Midlands Engine UK virtual delegation. The College will feature along with its long-standing partners Starfish Labs. Starfish have worked with Derwen College to develop award-winning apps to support people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

With technology and innovation taking centre stage, Arab Health is the leading medical and healthcare exhibition in the Middle East. Bringing together 3,590 exhibitors from 60 countries, the exhibition expects to see 56,000 healthcare professionals eager to learn, network and trade.

Forefront of sharing best practice

Derwen is an award-winning specialist further education college which offers exceptional vocational and independence programmes for young people with SEND. We are proud to be at the forefront of sharing best practice between nations and cultures.

The College offers bespoke staff training programmes for educational and care providers. The aim of these is supporting young people with SEND to transition from specialist education into supported employment. For many this also leads to supported or independent living after college.

Principal and CEO, Meryl Green, says:

“At Derwen College we have over 90 years of experience of supporting young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to develop the skills they need to lead the lives they want to. This involves training for employment and, just as importantly, developing those vital independence skills to take forward into adulthood.

“We are very proud of our results which speak for themselves with numbers of Derwen College leavers going into paid employment far exceeding the UK national average for young people with SEND.

‘Never thought it possible’

“’We never thought it possible’ is a common comment made about the progress of students at Derwen College and we are excited to be sharing our skills and experience globally. We look forward to enabling educators and carers from across the world to support young people to achieve their aspirations. Working together, we envisage a brighter future for people with SEND.”

Global SEND expertise

“Derwen College recognises that there is worldwide interest in the experience and knowledge base that British Special Educational Needs and Disability colleges can offer to other organisations working in the SEND sector in other countries. There is some great work being done globally, and Derwen College are recognised as being at the forefront in vocational training for students with learning disabilities, and in training staff to deliver effective programmes with impressive outcomes for students”.

Neil Bevan, Starfish Labs CEO, says,

“Arab Health has always been a productive exhibition for us, and I’m delighted to see Derwen College showcasing the award-winning apps we’ve developed with them, along with their expertise in SEND and in particular vocational and independent living programmes, to a global audience of clinicians and care professionals at the event this year.

“I’m excited to be supporting them in their export plans. Their 94 years of experience in working with people with disabilities and learning difficulties is already being very well received in sharing best practice and shaping post-school and college support in the Gulf states and beyond.”

Derwen College welcomes visit from actor Sam

Students and staff were thrilled, and a little bit star struck, to receive a visit from actor Sam Retford, who left behind the cobbles of Coronation Street to visit us this week.

Derwen Performing Arts students enjoyed a visit from actor Sam, who left the Weatherfield-based ITV soap in December following a dramatic storyline.

Sam shared his stories and acting tips with budding performers at Derwen.

Sam is best known for playing troubled Curtis, who left Coronation Street in a dramatic exit over Christmas. He has also worked on popular television shows including Hollyoaks, Casualty, Ackley Bridge and Death in Paradise.

Moreover, the talented 22-year-old has worked in theatre, film and more recently turned his hand to directing and production as co-founder of Collective Media Company.

Actor Sam was a charming speaker, who engaged students with an animated question and answer session, where he shared anecdotes and tips. There was much laughter in response to some hilarious stories, and lots of inspirational advice.

Confessions

He confessed to a disaster on his first day on the Hollyoaks set.

“On the very first day of filming, I was meant to throw a basketball at another boy. However, I’m not very good at sport! I missed the boy completely and the ball bounced across the set smashing some very expensive lighting.”

Despite a disastrous start, Sam made a good impression, and many more acting roles followed.

He is a strong advocate for more inclusivity and diversity in the acting industry, and encouraged students to work hard to find their place in the competitive performance world.

His brother Max has cerebral palsy and autism, and is his biggest fan. Because of this, Sam can use Makaton sign language which he uses to help communicate with Max.

Sam has also earned plaudits playing opposite actor and presenter George Webster in short film entitled ‘SAM’. The film stars Sam and George – who has been in the news as the first children’s presenter with Down’s Syndrome on CBeebies. The film sees two teenage boys with very different lives, become friends and fall in love.

He encouraged the College’s Performing Arts students to forge their own career path, and be heard in the world of film, television and theatre.

Inclusivity

“It’s a fantastic time to get into the industry. There are so many more opportunities, and some great companies and initiatives who are becoming a lot more inclusive. There are agents who specialise in working with actors with learning difficulties. We are also changing the way we work on set, to be more inclusive.

“All actors have needs and requirements which we need to be aware of to make everyone’s lives easier. Personally, I’m a slow reader, and find it difficult if lines are changed at the last minute.

“We need to tell people in the entertainment industry what would make our working day better. People aren’t mind readers and won’t know what we need unless we tell them. We all need to embrace our inner drama queen, and be more diva! It’s down to us to educate the industry, and change it for the better. Your voices can make all the difference.”

Performing Arts lead Jessie Vaughan said:

“It was a pleasure for students and staff to meet such an experienced actor, and to learn so much from him. Sam was an inspirational guest who truly engaged our students. Anna, one of our wonderful Performing Arts students, put me in contact with Sam and worked alongside me to arrange the talk. His charm, character and stories kept us all engaged, inspired and laughing for the entire afternoon! I was also very impressed with his Makaton signing. We can’t thank Sam enough for giving our aspiring performers a true insight of the industry, and we hope to work with him again in the future.”

Student Anna Redding said:

“I enjoyed the experience so much. I was so happy and excited, and I enjoyed having to get him from reception with Jessie.

“His talk inspired me to never give up on your dreams. Don’t be nervous, be excited when performing with other actors. And I learnt all the differences about working in TV acting and stage acting. Sam was lovely and really funny, and so inspiring.”

Here are a selection of Derwen College students’ questions and Sam’s answers:

Did you always want to be an actor?

“I always loved to watch and mimic people and pretending to be different characters. I used to enjoy sitting in cafes pretending to be on the phone, making out that I was an astronaut or a spy. Or following people, mimicking their body language and walk. I can’t really do that anymore, now that I’m on telly!”

“I didn’t initially see that acting could be a career, it was just something I loved doing. Originally, I liked fish and decided I would study to be a marine biologist. Then, I was appearing in a play when I was approached by a scout who suggested I audition for Hollyoaks. I was thrilled to get my first television job!”

Do you prefer stage or screen?

“I love both for different reasons. On television, if you go wrong, then you can start again, but on stage, it’s all live. Sometimes things go wrong, you forget your lines, someone forgets their cue, and you have to improvise.  I love it. You just have to remember that the audience have never seen the play before, so don’t know if you go off script!”

“On television you get a second take. However, if you have a bad day on television, it can be recorded forever. I did a scene on Coronation Street which I was assured was a ‘rehearsal’. Then the director shouted ‘cut’, and they used the take. It was awful!”

Do you prefer drama or soaps?

Drama is very different to soaps. In a drama, you might only cover eight pages of script in a day, running through the same scenes many times, with different camera angles, focus and lighting.

On a soap, there are cameras everywhere filming all at once, and sometimes just one take to get it right. You could potentially cover 45 pages of script in a day.

I enjoy both for different reasons.

Do you feel nervous performing on stage and television?

“I always feels nervous before performing. Nerves are important. When you don’t feel nervous, that’s when you should stop working. Nerves fuel your performance. Nerves and excitement are very similar emotions. You have remind yourself of that, embrace the ‘excitement’ and enjoy the moment.

What advice would you give to a actors with learning difficulties.

“It’s a fantastic time to get into the industry. There are so many more opportunities, and some great companies and initiatives who are becoming a lot more inclusive. We are changing the way we work on set. There are now agents who specialise in actors with learning difficulties.

“All actors have needs and requirements which help to make their lives easier. Personally, I’m a slow reader, and find it difficult if lines are changed at the last minute.

“We need to tell people what would make our day work better. We all need to embrace our inner drama queen, and be more diva!”

“It’s down to us all to educate the industry, and change it for the better. Your voices can make all the difference.

Do you have any tips for performers who struggle with love scenes, for example AJ and Josh who played Beauty and the Beast in the Christmas Show.

“As an actor, your job is to tell the story truthfully. You have to forget you are Josh and AJ. You are Beauty and Beast, and have to show what the characters feel.

“I always prep for a character part. For me, it’s important to understand the character’s background. I put together a playlist of music that my character might listen to, I think about what food they’d like. You have to completely immerse yourself in a character.”

Did you enjoy being in Death in Paradise?

“Filming on Death in Paradise was brilliant. I was meant to be there for two weeks, but due to Covid, I ended up in the Caribbean for a month. There can’t be many jobs where you get to enjoy four weeks of sunshine and sea. The only down side was having to act wearing a suit in 40 degree heat. The director asked me to act as if it wasn’t that hot. However, my brain couldn’t stop my body from sweating profusely.”

What have you got coming up next?

“One of my recent projects is a sci-fi  LGBTQ+ musical film called White Wedding. I’ve been working with Eyre-Morgan and Ely, who co-directed SAM, and am enjoying being part of the production and directing team as well as acting. It’s an exciting project. Watch this space!”

‘Leaf It To Us’ – an update on Derwen’s Horticulture project

Our ‘Leaf It To Us’ horticulture team have been out in all weathers transforming the Derwen’s Waterside Garden.

Students from Derwen College Walford have horticulture work placements at our Gobowen campus two days a week. Here, they are creating a landscaped peaceful outdoor haven.

As part of their horticulture work placements, the ‘Leaf It To Us’ team are working on a phased three-year plan. This involves improving the Waterside Garden. The garden will include a sensory area, water feature, lawn and area to relax.

Horticulture team Leaf It To Us have previously held work placements with Baschurch Parish Council, Whittington CE Primary School, and Ellesmere’s The Jebb Garden.

Work doesn’t stop for winter

Learning Support Assistant Dan Foster runs the Leaf It To Us business initiative. He says the team are looking forward to making good progress at Derwen over the term. He says:

“Work will definitely continue through the spring term, especially while the weather is fine. We are keen to demonstrate to our learners that even though it’s cold, as long as the ground isn’t frozen, covered in snow or waterlogged, work never stops!”

Roadworks near the College have restricted access for large vehicles. As a result, materials for the first phase were temporarily postposed. However, the team aim for these to be on site by the end of January. This will consist of drainage units, sand, cement, aggregate, bricks and paving for a patio area.

In the meantime, the team have been hard at work removing the soft fruit, hedge cutting, weed pulling, fruit tree pruning. As well as demolishing old beds and general tidying up ready for a huge skip to dispose of all the rubbish accumulated so far. Soil from the beds will be used to transform the landscape to begin the start of Phase Two in the autumn.

 

Fingers crossed that the winter weather doesn’t hamper plans too much! We’ll keep you posted.

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award coin for Steve

Sports and Leisure Coordinator Steve Evans has been honoured by the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards for his dedication to supporting students to achieve these incredible awards.

Steve, who recently spent a busy week on expedition with Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award students and former students, is one of just 100 people across the world to receive a specially-commissioned commemorative Duke of Edinburgh coin.

Derwen College Duke Edinburgh’s Awards leader Steve Evans was chosen as one of the 50 recipients in the UK to be awarded a £5 Crown coin in recognition of work for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards.

The coin features an original new portrait that was personally approved by The Duke of Edinburgh in 2008. 100 commemorative coins, accompanied by a letter of thanks from HRH The Earl of Wessex and have been awarded to inspirational volunteers around the world; 50 for volunteers in the UK and 50 for volunteers in other countries and territories.  

‘An incredible ambassador’

Ashley Williams, Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards Operations Officer for Telford and Wrekin and Shropshire, and Centenary Youth Ambassador Project Manager, said he was proud to put Steve’s name forward for the honour. He said:

“Steve is an incredible ambassador for the Award and goes above and beyond on a daily basis, to give every student who wants to take part at Derwen College, the opportunity to do so. His passion and determination to support students through each of the sections of their awards is unrivalled.

“It is clear to see the positive impact that taking part in DofE has on the students at Derwen, as each time I visit the College, I am given the opportunity to speak to the students and their faces light up talking about DofE, the fun they have and the memories they have made. They all love Steve, and value the opportunities he facilitates for them.

“It is a pleasure to work with Steve. He surpassed himself during the lockdown period by running virtual DofE sessions for the students and supporting them to continue with their Awards from home, keeping them motivated and engaged throughout an incredibly challenging time.”

‘Honoured’

Steve said he was surprised and honoured to receive the coin on behalf of the College and Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards. He said:

“Thank you to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards for this honour. Everything that we do towards Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards is only made possible because of a team effort. Thank you to the staff and student team at Derwen, and for all the support we receive from the regional DofE team. It is very much appreciated and ensures many young people at Derwen College get to take part, enjoy and benefit from in the award.”

This is not the first time that Steve’s passion for his job has been recognised. Earlier this month, he was named as a Gold winner in the Pearson National Teaching Awards in the Excellence in Special Needs Education category.

World Skills medals for Derwen

Thanks to kind, enterprising student, Mark

Derwen College student Mark Williams raised the splendid sum of £180 for Derwen College Charity by selling his own hand-made Christmas gifts and ornaments, at the Derwen College Christmas Fayre.

Mark, who is studying Retail & Enterprise at College spent months making wooden reindeers, damson gin and hand-knitted scarves for the event.

Mark said:

“I thought I would be generous, and donate all the profits I made from my stall. I am very pleased to donate this money to Derwen College.”

Fundraiser, Anna Evans said:

“Mark’s stall at the Christmas Fayre was fantastic – the quality of the items he produced was excellent and we are not surprised at all that he was able to sell so many items. We are very grateful for his kind donation to the charity, his contribution is very much appreciated. Well done Mark!”

GOLD teaching award for Steve

We are incredibly proud that Sports & Leisure Coordinator, Steve Evans, has been named as one of the nation’s most inspirational teachers at a prestigious awards ceremony.

Selected from thousands of nominations, he has won a Gold Award in the Pearson National Teaching Awards for Excellence in Special Needs Education.

At the ceremony, Stephen was honoured alongside their fellow Gold Winners across 15 categories as the best of the UK’s educators.

As Sports & Leisure coordinator of students with a wide variety of complex special educational needs and disabilities, Steve has a determination to convince every student that sport if for them, if they find the right sport. Steve’s impact on students can be ‘life-changing’ as he works tirelessly to ensure that every young person is included in the huge range of activities he provides and is able to benefit from regular exercise.

Inspirational journeys

His passion and drive has been instrumental in bringing the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards to College, giving students the opportunity, motivation and self-belief to get involved with these challenging awards, encouraging them to strive and attain goals beyond their expectations.

The Pearson National Teaching Award winners have been honoured for their incredible work supporting learners across the country. Each award winner has repeatedly gone above and beyond their role to change the lives of their students and help them move towards a brighter future. Stephen said:

“Receiving this award is so special. To be recognised in this way is a proud moment for me. We are always looking to create better opportunities for our students, and we believe a healthy and happy young person will go on to achieve great things in life. It’s an inspirational journey to be part of.

“My colleagues and I all want to make a difference to our young people. This award is a real team effort. It’s such a powerful thing to have a positive impact on a student, and to do this work every day is more of a passion than a profession. I’m very honoured to receive this award.”

What our students say

Former Derwen College student William Chapple, and current student Libby Grigg are just two of many examples of students who have been motivated by Steve.

William shared his experiences with the judges. He said:

“I started running at home in the lockdown. When I came back to college, Steve helped find some routes around college and the local village that I could run. To start with, he ran them with me before work in the mornings, then he helped me with travel training so I could run independently.

“In December, I ran a half marathon with Steve and other staff. I felt really excited and very proud. I am so grateful that Steve helped me. I wouldn’t have done the half marathon without him.

“Running has helped me to stay active, fit and healthy. When I did running at home in the holidays, I emailed Steve and he shared my photos on Instagram. It lets other people know what I have been up to in the holidays and makes me feel motivated. Steve is a legend! He keeps me going. He is funny, kind and helpful.”

Shropshire student Libby said:

“Steve has helped me do the gym which helps my epilepsy and it can calm my seizures down. Steve also runs our Duke of Edinburgh award – I’m on Gold! I was not well last year, and didn’t finish my expedition. I was disappointed. But Steve said to me ‘you can finish it this term’. Which means a lot to me.

Steve helps us get our bags packed for our expeditions, and even helps me do my shoes up when were out!! He is a very helpful person. I have learnt how to be independent, and skills from my Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold award helps my confidence and to communicate with other people.”

Watch the video from the awards evening to find out more about what makes Steve the legend that he is! 

Derwen Dance Crew competition success

Our very own Derwen street dance team (DDC) have returned from a dance competition triumphant, with trophies galore.

Performing Arts students from Derwen Dance Crew were entered into an external street dance competition at Audacity events, in Wolverhampton.

Derwen College students performed brilliantly in their over-18s street dance and contemporary solos, while DDC came second in their street dance crew piece.

Derwen College performing arts teacher Opal Trevor also runs Identity School of Dance – which runs weekly dance classes for children and young adults with SEND. Students from Derwen College attend Identity as part of the Derwen external work experience, and were pleased to represent both the College and Identity. Opal said:

“It was so exciting to see Derwen College students perform so well, alongside performers from Identity, which included some former students. For many participants, this was their first external street dance competition. Everyone did so well, and I’m extremely proud of them all.”

Derwen College current students – Street dance over 18 solos

2nd place – Anna Redding
5th place – George Weston

Contemporary over 18 solos

4th Place – Amy Jude
6th Place – Nicole Williams

World Skills finalists

Derwen College students impressed judges, when they showcased work skills and reached the national finals of WorldSkillsUK.

Four students from Hospitality & Food demonstrated their catering and table laying skills. Four students from our Ludlow satellite campus took part in the Media competition finals in World Skills competitions.

The competitions were held on 17 November, and judging took place live via online Teams call.

Hospitality & Food competitions

Peter and Aaliyah made it through to the World Skills competitions final in the catering competition. They were tasked with cooking and presenting a three-course meal comprising a cold starter and grilled meat kebab in a dough product. This was followed by a fruit salad made of five different fruits, and presented in the shell of a fruit. Anna and Maisy were finalists in the Restaurant Service competition. They were asked to set a table for two for an afternoon tea with an Armistice Day theme. This involved wiping and polishing glasses, cutlery and crockery, creating a centrepiece and presenting the table.

Media competitions

For the media competition, Business Support and Enterprise students Louis, Logan, Iman and Jeffrey, produced a media campaign focused upon Respect. The students, from our new Ludlow campus, completed a design and marketing idea from scratch. They conducted research, produced a board game, designed a logo, a web page and a poster, and created a PowerPoint presentation. They even composed and sang a song for a radio jingle. All within the allocated two hours!

Overall medal winners will be named by presenter Steph McGovern on her Channel 4 television programme Steph’s Packed Lunch on 26 November. The WorldSkills UK virtual medal ceremony of the National Finals will be broadcast from 4pm on Friday 26 November live from the ‘Packed Lunch’ studio. The virtual medal ceremony will also be broadcast on the WorldSkills UK event platform  

Design of the times

Derwen is working with branding specialists Design by COUNTRY. Together we are creating a brighter, more engaging online and on-campus presence.

The aim of the rebrand is to be fully accessible and to have a brand which reflects our forward-thinking approach.

The rebrand will be used across the College’s main site, as well as satellite sites for day students at Telford, Walford (near Shrewsbury), and Ludlow.

The College and rebrand experts Design by Country are in the process of consulting with students, staff, clients, families and stakeholders to get a real feel for what Derwen is all about. We have already enjoyed two lively workshops – one with staff and governors, and one with the College’s Student Union Board. These have already offered up plenty of interesting and diverse ideas.

Accessibility is key

Accessibility is key to the new branding. The college will be working with COUNTRY, and The National Autistic Society to ensure that all new branding, signage, and website design are accessible to all current and potential stakeholders.

Derwen College Principal and CEO Meryl Green said:

“As a leading further education college, it is vital that our branding reflects that we are a forward-thinking college. But also that we are caring, collaborative and passionate about doing the very best for our students.

“Accessibility is also of utmost importance, across College sites and online, for students, potential students, families, staff and visitors to our commercial areas.

“It’s a challenge, but we believe that through our partnership with Design by Country, we can deliver.”

Design by Country director Warran Brindle said:

“At COUNTRY, we are passionate about specialist education and in particular designing truly accessible brands and digital experiences. Our strategic creative process is inclusive by design, involving students, staff, stakeholders and customers to make sure we capture the essence of the brand.

It’s an honour and a privilege to have been chosen by Derwen to deliver their rebrand, wayfinding and new website.”