Here, day students will learn work and independent living skills, to provide them with a tool-kit for future employment.
The new Derwen: Ludlow site – which launches at the end of October – will be replacing the current south Shropshire facility in Craven Arms.
The new building offers a more spacious and accessible environment for Business students. The Eco Business Park’s excellent transport links will mean easier access for more students from across south Shropshire and neighbouring counties.
Students, aged 16 to 25 with learning difficulties, disabilities or autism, will follow a Business Support & Enterprise pathway, which includes teaching, qualifications and work placements. The pathway will equip them for employment in business, enterprise or retail after college.
Derwen College Area Satellite Manager Peter Leddington said:
“We have been looking for a while to strengthen our south Shropshire provision, in terms of accessibility of the building, student catchment area and meeting a need for SEND provision in the south of the county.
“The satellite is based on the Eco Business Park, just outside of Ludlow, and is ideal for day students from south Shropshire and other nearby counties, including Herefordshire and Worcestershire and Powys. We are all very excited about the move and the opportunities that this will bring for our current and future learners.”
Derwen College has three satellite campuses for day students at Walford, near Shrewsbury, Telford and the new south Shropshire site. Residential and day students also attend the main Gobowen campus, near Oswestry.
Derwen launches new Nurture programme
Derwen is delighted to have opened a purpose-designed Nurture Centre.
This offers specialist equipment and facilities for students on our newly launched Nurture Programme.
Students with the new Nurture team.
We have three new students who have joined us this term. And, we’re looking forward to welcoming more as the project reaches its next stage.
The new Nurture Centre has meant we have been able to widen our potential cohort to offer a bespoke programme for students with more complex needs and disabilities. Phase 1 of the project has focused on creating a fully accessible teaching space, the installation of a state-of-the-art sensory room, and access to eye-gaze technology.
The teaching space offers an accessible kitchen area where students can develop their home-living skills. Teaching spaces are fitted with full-access hoisting, meaning that students’ therapies can be embedded into learning activities. Students with communication difficulties have access to eye-gaze technology. This allows them to communicate needs using their eye movements. While the sensory room offers a fully immersive experience, containing a range of specialist sensory equipment that students can control themselves.
Students on the Nurture programme can benefit from using our hydrotherapy pool.
A specialist staff team has been brought together with expertise in profound and multiple learning disability (PMLD). These include Learning Support Practitioners Fiona Plater, Phil Evans and Sam Talbot, PMLD teacher Charlotte Tompkins.
Nurture Centre – future focus
The programme is overseen by PMLD Lead Bev Simmonds. Bev has over a decade’s experience in teaching adults with PMLD in Shropshire. She also has a Masters degree in SPMLD education from Birmingham University. Bev is excited about building a specific provision focused on the needs of PMLD students.
The Nurture Centre is now looking to grow and progress further. Phase 2 of development focuses on creating more teaching spaces and accessible outdoor learning areas. This offers the possibility of provision for up to eight students.
Derwen College Principal Meryl Green said she was very pleased to see students benefiting from the new Nurture programme. She said:
“It is great to have welcomed the first of our Nurture programme students to Derwen. We are proud to be able to provide specialist provision and a dedicated team who are able to support our students with more complex needs. This new initiative meets local need. It also demonstrates the ongoing evolution of our provision at Derwen. We look forward to seeing the programme grow to support more students in the coming years.”
Work placements can change lives
Derwen is urging more Shropshire businesses to support us to transform our students’ future employment prospects by offering just an hour or two for a weekly work placement.
Student work placements are a vital part of most of our students’ learning.
As students progress from working in our on-site commercial areas, they go on to weekly work placements in the community when they are ready. So, College has been reaching out to Shropshire businesses. We are asking them for just a couple of hours a week to help change the future of a young person with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
It is important that work placements are relevant to students’ learning pathways and future ambitions. Therefore, the college is keen to work with charity shops, designers and printers, theatres, garden nurseries, cafes, restaurants and housekeeping businesses in Shropshire, preferably in or near Oswestry or Telford.
The work experience team are also looking for some specific placements local to Shrewsbury, for students at the college’s Walford-based site. They are particularly keen to hear from Shrewsbury-based florists, gyms, leisure centres and horticulture enterprises.
Just a few hours a week in a work environment provides vital experience for students. This helps them towards employment and a more independent future. Students are supported at all times during their placements by a Derwen College job coach and can be a real asset to a business.
Can you help support life-changing opportunities?
Work experience co-ordinator Abi Baker said:
‘Only 6% of young people with learning difficulties go into work, which is an incredibly disappointing statistic. Derwen College’s mission is to create opportunities for young people who may have special educational needs, but have proved they are able and willing to work. This enables them to enjoy job satisfaction and also to live more independent lives.
“Our external work placement programme offers life changing opportunities for our students to undertake meaningful, real work experience which is relevant to their learning and future career hopes.
“Businesses that we work with also find it a rewarding thing to do. Offering work placements to a person with a learning difficulty promotes diversity and boosts a company’s reputation for being community-minded and inclusive.”
To find out more about how you could help change a young person’s future prospects, please contact Abi Baker on abi.baker@derwen.ac.uk
Snowdon walk for Derwen Charity
An intrepid 16 members of staff from Derwen College walked up Snowdon, yesterday, to raise funds and awareness for Derwen College Charity.
Most of those walking for Derwen College Charity had never attempted Snowdon before, making this a daunting challenge.
Weather conditions were cloudy, wet and windy, but that did not deter the team who made great progress and reached the summit on schedule.
This was the second Derwen staff Snowdon walk – the first took place three weeks ago. In total, 36 staff have completed the climb to raise funds for the charity. The total funds raised to date is £1280.48.
Walk leader, Ben Leonard – who took part in both walks – said he was proud of everyone who took part.
“It was a great day, everything went well and everyone worked really hard to reach the top of Snowdon. It was a shame the views were not great from the summit, but the clouds parted on our way down and we finally got to enjoy the breath-taking views of Snowdonia.
“Everyone helped each other to keep going, and that made a big difference.”
Money raised for Derwen College Charity goes towards supporting students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in their education, work experience and independence skills learning.
Anyone wishing to support this event can make a donation via the on-line donation page
More pictures from the walk are available on our Facebook page.
Still spaces for life-changing learning
It’s not too late for day students to enrol on a life-changing learning experience at our award-winning college for this September.
Potential day students can still enrol to learn work and independence skills with us.
Families can still apply to join our sites in Gobowen, near Oswestry, Derwen at Walford, near Shrewsbury, and one in South Shropshire. Students across the college’s sites, are offered a full timetable including employability skills, work placements, skills for life and sports and leisure activities.
Derwen College prides itself on providing real work and independence skills to students, including work placements at the Gobowen campus’s garden centre and gift shop, charity shop, café, print shop. Many students at Walford also work at the Leaf It To Us horticulture enterprise and have been involved in many important community projects.
Head of Curriculum Zoe Wood said:
‘Families may not realise it, but there is still time for day students to apply for a 2021 place at one of our sites at Gobowen, Derwen at Walford and south Shropshire. Students from Shropshire, north Wales and Cheshire enjoy the day student experience, which offers award-winning learning and social life in a packed daily timetable.
‘We are very proud of the successes of our day students from Shropshire and the surrounding counties, many of whom go on to find employment and supported living after graduating from Derwen.
‘We are also welcoming enquiries from residential and day students for 2022 and beyond.’
The Admissions team are on hand through the summer to deal with enquires regarding potential students. Telephone 01691 661234 ext 401 or email admissions@derwen.ac.uk, for information.
Now, she adds Derwen College students to the list of stars she’s worked with.
As part of a new Digital Skills unit at College, Digital Skills teacher Dave Robinson has launched a series of ’10 Questions With …’ video interviews.
We are thrilled to announce that the first one is with actress Caroline Goodall. Caroline has starred in The Princess Diaries,Hook and Schindler’s List. Her film with Derwen College is now also shot, edited and ready to view.
Each student who took part in the ’10 Questions with Caroline’ project received a signed photograph from her.
Students were asked to submit their questions to this fascinating actress, who has 30 years’ worth of remarkable stories to tell.
Caroline was a joy to interview. She also sent each student involved in the project a signed photograph from Hook, in which she played Peter’s wife.
Thank you to Caroline for being so generous with your time and gifts. And, thanks to all the students for their brilliant questions.
We can’t wait to see her new film, The Islander, which will hopefully be out soon.
What is Digital Skills?
Digital Skills at Derwen College covers: using devices and handling information, being safe and responsible online, transacting, communicating. There is a focus on creating and editing.
Digital Skills is involved with all our learning pathways, and gives students the ability to transform some of their unique and exciting ideas into audio, video and photographic projects for everyone to enjoy.
Top awards for Derwen College teachers
Derwen College welcomed VIPs and media, including BBC Midlands Today and Radio Shropshire to join us in honouring two of our top, most inspirational teachers.
Selected from thousands of nominations, Derwen College Sports & Leisure Co-ordinator Steve Evans was honoured as one of 102 Pearson National Teaching Silver Award winning teachers across the country. Teacher Steve Evans won the Silver Award in The Award for Excellence in Special Needs Education.
Derwen College Performing Art and Learning for Life teacher Jessie Vaughan has been recognised with a Bronze Award in the Digital Innovator of the Year category.
Steve was commended for his determination to bring out the best in every student. By partnering with community and national sports organisations, Steve has enabled a wide and inclusive range of opportunities for students. His passion and drive has been instrumental in bringing the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards to Derwen 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.
Steve Evans has now been shortlisted to win one of just 15 Gold Awards later in the year, in a programme which will be broadcast on the BBC.
Jessie was honoured in the Digital Innovator of the Year category for her commitment to embracing technology to engage with students at home and at college. She used online meetings, social media and videos during lockdown, thinking creatively to make sure each and every student felt a part of college even if they were based miles away.
Principal Meryl Green and Chair of Governors K Kimber attended the virtual celebration to honour Steve and Jessie.
“We are proud and delighted that teachers Steve and Jessie’s amazing work has been recognised in this way. Despite the incredible outcomes that their students achieve they remain modest and firmly grounded. For both, students are always centre stage, and going ‘over and above’ is just the norm.
At Derwen College, we believe that young people with SEND deserve the best possible life chances and are proud to have staff who do everything in their power to achieve this. Both Jessie and Steve really are an inspiration to students and the colleagues working alongside them.”
Derwen College wins Tes FE Award 2021
Everyone at Derwen College is over the moon to have scooped a teaching award that is the further education equivalent of the Oscars.
We have received the Tes FE Award for Specialist Provider of the Year in these top awards which recognise those that work in further education.
Staff and students were delighted to receive such fabulous news during what has been an incredibly challenging year.
Judges praised Derwen College for doing everything in our power to continue our mission to create a world without barriers for our students with SEND, even during a pandemic.
When the pandemic hit, we didn’t just survive: we thrived! Staff across curriculum, care and support came together with parents, carers, supporters and industry partners. We ensured that work, independence skills, health, fitness, sports and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award all continued. Though, often in different ways.
Retail student Mia arranges stock in The Vintage Advantage charity shop.
We set up our brand new on-site charity shop The Vintage Advantage. We launched an online eBay shop and a new takeaway service for staff and students. This ensured that work placements for students continued.
Staff worked tirelessly to host annual events virtually, including open days, sports day, competitions, a prom and graduation ceremony.
Derwen College even opened a new Telford campus as planned in September 2020. This site delivers much-needed provision to students with SEND in the area.
Commitment and creativity
Our Chair of Governors Kathleen Kimber said:
“We have long been proud of how Derwen works with its students and their achievements never fail to amaze us. Recently the staff have gone above and beyond what could have been expected of them. Their commitment and creativity during long periods when students were having to isolate in bubbles here or spend time at home have been outstanding.
“What has been striking is that student engagement and enjoyment have been very evident. There has been a sense of fun. New ventures have been successfully launched, either to offer an alternative to work experience off-site or to bring to fruition a planned development, such as the opening of the new satellite at Telford. Thank you to all the staff; well done to all students. We know we shall build further on this.”
Year of triumphs
Derwen College Principal and CEO Meryl Green said:
“I would like to say a huge thank you to every single member of staff at Derwen College. This award recognises the commitment, imagination, passion and resilience of staff across College campuses. It has been a year of triumphs for the college during some challenging times. We are honoured to have been recognised by judges who are experts in the field of education.
The Specialist Provider of the Year category has many contenders of an impressive calibre who have all worked tirelessly to support people with SEND in further education. We couldn’t be happier to have received an award of such high esteem.”
Tes FE Awards 2021 lead judge Lynette Barrett said:
“During such adverse and difficult times, this college has shown how it has remained focused on student achievements and outcomes. The pandemic did not hold this college back; it initiated new projects, which meant student outcomes could be achieved, and learners remained safe and engaged in their education.
“The staff worked relentlessly to remain open and create new ways of working, which allowed some of the most vulnerable young people in society to achieve their outcomes without compromise.”
Derwen College opens on-site charity shop
Derwen College, near Oswestry, has opened a new on-site charity shop.
The shop offers pre-loved bargains to shoppers, and work experience to students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Charity shop The Vintage Advantage at Derwen College, in Gobowen, has opened its doors to the public selling a range of quality second-hand clothing, accessories, homeware and books.
Students on the specialist college’s Retail and Enterprise pathway have supported staff in sorting, pricing and displaying goods. They are now able to practise their sales and marketing skills with customers.
Head of curriculum Zoe Wood said the college decided to do something after the pandemic had prevented students getting any off-site work placements since March 2020. She said:
“Being able to practise their vocational learning in a relevant, real-life work setting can be life-changing for our young people.
“Unfortunately Covid-19 and the lockdowns meant the normal channels were closed to them so we thought outside the box and decided to create our own shop.”
After receiving £24,000 from the Steve Morgan Foundation the college converted a spare classroom into a shop and staff and students prepared stock and started filling up the shelves.
The Vintage Advantage has now opened its doors to the public and has already been winning rave reviews. Zoe Wood added:
“The opening of The Vintage Advantage means that our retail and enterprise students can finally practise their customer service skills in a real shop setting.
“Over the past months, students have been busy sorting and displaying items to sell in the shop and marketing the shop on social media, but nothing compares to the excitement of meeting, greeting and serving real-life customers today.”
‘Rave reviews’
Shop manager Sharon Jones said:
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the support from visitors to the new Vintage Advantage charity shop. Customers are particularly enjoying browsing and buying our stylish selection of clothing and accessories, homeware and books, and many have commented on how well-displayed, bright and spacious the shop is.
“Many shoppers seem to be making their visit into a trip out, visiting our Garden Centre and Gift Shop, discovering hidden treasures in the charity shop, then enjoying a takeaway or alfresco lunch or snack at the Walled Garden Cafe.”
Derwen College is a vocational college for young adults aged 16-24. Students attend college to learn work skills and independent living skills in an environment that is bespoke to their needs.
Unique to Derwen College is an on-site retail area, open to the public, where students learn, train and gain work skills.
The college enjoys 27 partnerships with local and national businesses and organisations who provide external work placements for our students.
These placements are vital to students gaining industry standard work skills and experience and have led directly to students gaining paid employment after leaving college.
Derwen College named as finalist for national TES award
Derwen College has been shortlisted in the Specialist Provider of the Year category in a prestigious national awards competition.
The specialist further education college, in Gobowen, has been shortlisted in the national 2021 TES Further Education (FE) Awards. The awards recognise the most outstanding institutions from across the entire Further Education sector.
“Further education providers have excelled in what has been a truly challenging year. The amazing individuals, team and institutions on our TES FE Awards shortlist showcase that. Our judges were impressed with the calibre of entries and I want to congratulate everyone who has made the shortlist. It is a brilliant achievement.”
The TES award follows on from a successful year of achievement. Derwen College was honoured to win Careers Programme in a Special School/College in the UK Career Development Awards. The award was for innovation and for commitment to supporting students into employment. The award focused on the development of a revolutionary new CV Builder app.
‘Strong competition’
Meryl Green, Principal of Derwen College, said that she was thrilled that the college had been shortlisted as one of the top specialist providers in the UK. She said:
“We are absolutely delighted with this nomination which is a reflection of the hard work and commitment of everyone who works here at the college. There is, as always, strong competition, and it’s inspiring to see what colleges are doing for their students. We look forward to finding out if we will be named overall winners in May
“It has been a year of triumphs for the college during some challenging times, and we are honoured to have been recognised by judges who are experts in the field of education.”
Derwen College will be holding its next Virtual Open Day on 26th June at 10am. Find out more at Derwen College website or register your interest for our Open Day today.
Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards – a lasting legacy
Derwen College joins Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards providers across Great Britain and the Commonwealth in thinking of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, his family, and his legacy: The Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Awards.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards are a lasting legacy which have truly changed the lives of many thousands of young people.
Derwen College has been running the DofE programme since 2014, and was the first provider in Shropshire to run the scheme for participants with special educational needs and disabilities.
We know from talking to students and their families, how this unique experience has helped them to develop and grow, offering them skills which can change their lives.
“The DofE award supplements everything else we do in College in terms of developing independence and gaining skills for life. Individually and as a group, participation in the DofE gives all students an opportunity to be independent, to grow in confidence and be challenged. A challenge that sees the development of new skills and attitudes to be a more rounded, confident young adult”.
Here are just a few of the student stories which show how the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards have inspired some of our students and former students.
Student stories
Anna’s new found confidence after DofE Awards enabled her to achieve employment after leaving College.
Caitlin and her family have seen her achieve things that they never thought possible. Her dad says:
“The programme gives Caitlin great pride. It makes her feel like she is part of something. She likes to get out and do things and try things. The programme is also a wonderful way to connect with the community – be it the people with whom she is working to achieve the awards or the people she encounters in undertaking the awards such as when she volunteers.
“The programme has given her responsibilities and the ability to try different things she probably would not have tried on her own. It has certainly challenged her and made her – and us – aim higher!”
Oliver achieved his Gold award and has gone on to employment and independent living in his own flat. He says:
“I really enjoyed my DofE and liked working as part of a team. I had a great sense of achievement when I finished each section. I was excited to go to Buckingham Palace to collect my Gold Award.”
And Adam discovered he had untapped leadership skills. These, along with new-found confidence, have helped him go on to further training at College. He says:
“Being on DofE expeditions made me feel more relaxed and motivated me to overcome challenges. It gave me a great sense of achievement and taught me new practical skills. I sometimes find it hard to focus on a task but with DofE I was engaged which made me more confident and keen to take on more of a leadership role.”
Euan is on the way to achieving his Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. He finds the awards motivating and engaging. His dad, Jim says:
“Euan loves the outdoors and is very inquisitive. He loves to be active and above all else he likes camping and all things that happen associated with camping, such as campfire activities.
“Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has given him a focus when he has been at Derwen College, and he loves to carry on activities when he’s at home. Over the February half term, we did lots of walking and even a night out in the tent!”
Thank you to the Duke of Edinburgh for creating these life-changing awards which mean so much to us at Derwen College.
We look forward to carrying on working towards the awards, and hope to be able to return to expeditions. Work also continues on our new dedicated Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards outside area.
Watch this space for more details soon …
Students star in Down Syndrome campaign
Derwen College is privileged to have worked on a project promoting a message that we feel very strongly about.
The foundation was keen to promote and support opportunities for work for those with learning difficulties. Like Derwen College, they recognise that people with learning difficulties have important skills to offer and are a valuable addition to the workplace.
Derwen College, in Shropshire, is a further education college for young adults with a range of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). We support students to develop work and independence skills. Equipped with these skills, students can aspire to their ambitions on leaving College. Currently, a quarter of our 121 students have Down Syndrome.
So, for Down Syndrome Awareness Week (from 15th to 21st March, incorporating World Down Syndrome Day on Sunday, 21st March) students in Performing Arts, and other work pathways, were challenged to create a video as part of our Performance Production work experience placement.
Performing Arts lead Jessie Vaughan said:
“Students were tasked with creating a short clip from home to promote the many abilities that they have. We all have something amazing to offer, and our students are absolutely no exception!”
Derwen College is an award-winning specialist further education college. Students, aged 16-25 years old, receive the learning and work experience to support them into employment and supported living. Work-based pathways offered at College are: Performing Arts, Retail & Enterprise, Gardens & Plant Production, Hospitality & Food, Learning for Life.
This video is being showcased in the Croydon area. We also wanted to share it on our social media sites.
The new building offers a more spacious and accessible environment for Business students. The Eco Business Park’s excellent transport links will mean easier access for more students from across south Shropshire and neighbouring counties. 
As students progress from working in our on-site commercial areas, they go on to weekly work placements in the community when they are ready. So, College has been reaching out to Shropshire businesses. We are asking them for just a couple of hours a week to help change the future of a young person with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
‘Only 6% of young people with learning difficulties go into work, which is an incredibly disappointing statistic. Derwen College’s mission is to create opportunities for young people who may have special educational needs, but have proved they are able and willing to work. This enables them to enjoy job satisfaction and also to live more independent lives.
Weather conditions were cloudy, wet and windy, but that did not deter the team who made great progress and reached the summit on schedule.
Families of students aged 16 to 25, with special education needs and disabilities (SEND), still have time to sign up with us – Specialist Provider of the Year in the nationwide TES FE awards 2021.‘Families may not realise it, but there is still time for day students to apply for a 2021 place at one of our sites at Gobowen, Derwen at Walford and south Shropshire. Students from Shropshire, north Wales and Cheshire enjoy the day student experience, which offers award-winning learning and social life in a packed daily timetable.
Staff and students were delighted to receive such fabulous news during what has been an incredibly challenging year. 
“We have long been proud of how Derwen works with its students and their achievements never fail to amaze us. Recently the staff have gone above and beyond what could have been expected of them. Their commitment and creativity during long periods when students were having to isolate in bubbles here or spend time at home have been outstanding.
“I would like to say a huge thank you to every single member of staff at Derwen College. This award recognises the commitment, imagination, passion and resilience of staff across College campuses. It has been a year of triumphs for the college during some challenging times. We are honoured to have been recognised by judges who are experts in the field of education.
Charity shop The Vintage Advantage at Derwen College, in Gobowen, has opened its doors to the public selling a range of quality second-hand clothing, accessories, homeware and books. “We’ve been overwhelmed by the support from visitors to the new Vintage Advantage charity shop. Customers are particularly enjoying browsing and buying our stylish selection of clothing and accessories, homeware and books, and many have commented on how well-displayed, bright and spacious the shop is.
Derwen College is a vocational college for young adults aged 16-24. Students attend college to learn work skills and independent living skills in an environment that is bespoke to their needs.“Further education providers have excelled in what has been a truly challenging year. The amazing individuals, team and institutions on our TES FE Awards shortlist showcase that. Our judges were impressed with the calibre of entries and I want to congratulate everyone who has made the shortlist. It is a brilliant achievement.”
Derwen College has been running the DofE programme since 2014, and was the first provider in Shropshire to run the scheme for participants with special educational needs and disabilities.“The programme gives Caitlin great pride. It makes her feel like she is part of something. She likes to get out and do things and try things. The programme is also a wonderful way to connect with the community – be it the people with whom she is working to achieve the awards or the people she encounters in undertaking the awards such as when she volunteers.
Oliver achieved his Gold award and has gone on to employment and independent living in his own flat. He says:
Euan is on the way to achieving his Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. He finds the awards motivating and engaging. His dad, Jim says:
The foundation was keen to promote and support opportunities for work for those with learning difficulties. Like Derwen College, they recognise that people with learning difficulties have important skills to offer and are a valuable addition to the workplace.
