Derwen joins tree-planting tribute to Queen
We have planted a tree at College as a lasting legacy to celebrate the Queen’s platinum jubilee.
Students taking part in our Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards scheme, planted a tree in the new Duke of Edinburgh’s Outdoor Centre.
They were guided by Garden Centre Supervisor and teacher Will Lyon to plant a Liquidamber Worplesdon to become one of the Queen’s Green Canopy – an initiative taking place across the UK.
The Queen’s Green Canopy was initially created to mark the Platinum Jubilee, and was due to conclude in December 2022. However, following the wishes of its Patron, His Majesty The King, The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) initiative will be extended to the end of March 2023 to give people the opportunity to plant trees in memoriam to honour Her Majesty.
The Queen’s Green Canopy is proud to be creating a living legacy with over a million trees planted in Her Majesty’s name across the nation. An interactive map created by The Queen’s Green Canopy will showcase the planting projects across the United Kingdom.
Our Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Outdoor Centre is a dedicated base for students to practise the skills needed for their expeditions. The site gives students the chance to try out different terrains, try out a selection of varying gates and stiles, and even have a go in a canoe simulator.
All students, regardless of disabilities, are encouraged to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards programme. This year, we’ve further adapted the programme to include students from the newly-developed Nurture programme for young adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD).
We’re honoured to be able to combine the skills of our Horticulture team, with the work of our DofE groups, to be part of this lasting legacy to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.
Proud to be Makaton friendly
Derwen College has received Silver Makaton status.
We are the first specialist college to be given this recognition, which means we are officially part of the Makaton Friendly community.
Silver status is currently the Makaton Charity’s highest possible accreditation.
Makaton is a language programme that combines signs, symbols and speech to provide multiple ways to enable people to communicate. We are incredibly proud to be officially Makaton Friendly, offering students with special education needs and disabilities (SEND), and communication difficulties, a helping hand to increase their understanding and also to share their voice and be heard.
The Makaton Language Programme was developed more than 40 years by Margaret Walker MBE. It has grown to be used in schools, colleges and establishments across the UK. Makaton has been adapted to be used in more than 40 countries across the world.
Today, more than 100,000 children and adults use Makaton, either as their main method of communication or as a way to support speech. In recent years, Makaton has become more widely used and seen on television due to the likes of CBeebies’ Mr Tumble on children’s favourite Something Special. Celebrities on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing are also often seen thanking the viewing public through Makaton.
We are proud to use Makaton signs and symbols throughout College, and to have a dedicated team of six tutors – James Worthington, Lowri Hughes, Helen Edwards, Jessie Vaughan, Paula Hampson and Senior Makaton Tutor Julie Hawkins – who train and support all staff across College.
Cross-college initiative
Qualifying for Silver status has been a cross-college initiative with 75% of student-facing staff needing to reach at least Level 2. Three-quarters of staff, across all departments (we would argue that everyone across College interacts with students in some way), now have a good basic grounding in signs and symbols, including food and home items, words relevant to College life, and letters of the alphabet.
More than 20% of staff have also reached the advanced Level 4, and 10% have attended workshops in Makaton for Safeguarding, an area where clear communication is vitally important.
The College’s Head of Speech and Language Julie Hawkins, is a senior tutor for Makaton. She is also the symbols advisor for The Makaton Charity – meaning the charity ask her advice for correct symbols, and on the creation of new signs.
One of Julie’s claims to fame is that she’s been up Mount Snowdon with Mr Tumble, all in the name of ensuring that the Makaton brand is used correctly at all times!
By using Makaton, children and adults can take a more active part in life, because communication and language are the key to everything we do and learn.
Communication strategies
For student Isaac, for example, alternative communication strategies are vital. He has a severe communication disorder, as well as being autistic, and uses a combination of Makaton and British Sign Language, as well as an IPad communication aid. Derwen College has worked with Isaac and his family to revise his Makaton vocabulary to ensure consistent communication with staff and peers.
Isaac has developed his ability to use Makaton signs and symbols to assist him with all aspects of his communication in his Hospitality and Food pathway, in work placements, and the wider college environment. He has become very confident when communicating with staff and peers who are aware of Makaton.
Isaac uses Makaton signing to indicate whether he has understood something. This has led to increased confidence in his ability to make himself heard and given him the confidence to ask for help when needed.
Wayfinding signage and information posters around the College, and even student timetables, include Makaton symbols, and staff are encouraged to use signs to support communication with students.
The College has worked with app developers Starfish Labs to produce ground-breaking ‘Support Work’ apps, which can be used on a tablet or a mobile phone. These use Makaton signs (as well as text, speech and video) to support students to access work. The apps, which have been developed with backing from The Makaton Charity, include a CV Builder App and a Working in a Premier Inn app.
The college also raises awareness of Makaton with its fabulous sign and dance group DOT (Derwen on Tour) who have performed at events including the National Eisteddfod, Christmas light switch-ons, and a Premier Inn national conference – bringing Makaton to as wide and diverse an audience as possible.
Outside of College, Julie has hosted and led Makaton sessions in the community which have included teaching horse-related signs at a Riding Centre, local schools, and festive signing for potential Santa’s Grotto employees.
Head of Speech and Language Therapy and Senior Makaton Tutor Julie Hawkins said:
“To achieve Makaton Silver Status means a great deal to us at Derwen College. We believe it is vital that students are understood, and that they should be given every opportunity to communicate their feelings and wishes.
“Makaton signs and symbols support communication and increase understanding between students, and between students and staff, helping to extinguish some of the frustrations that students feel at not being understood. Makaton also allows staff to better explain what is expected of students in their work area, residence or free time, and to recognise and communicate quickly when there is an issue.
“The delight and relief that people with communication difficulties show when they know they’ve been understood and listened to is clear. Makaton supports children and adults to be heard and to have a voice. The staff at Derwen College are proud to be at the forefront of enabling all our students to communicate. Communication is the key to success for so many of our students, and we’re proud to use Makaton to support them to achieve their ambitions.”
Winning moves for Derwen Dance Crew
Our talented Derwen Dance Crew (DDC) are dancing for joy after winning trophies and medals galore at a street dance competition.
DDC took part in the Audacity Winter Street Dance competition in Walsall on Sunday 4 December.
The dance group, which included many new members who had never attended a competition before, won first place in the over-18s beginners group category. They also achieved highest scoring crew in the SEN (special educational needs) category which puts them straight through to the dance championships in February 2023.
DDC members Ciara McKenna, Jamie Potten, Millie Seymour-Hignett, Josh Wilde, Megan Probyn, Andrew Evans and Anna Redding also took part in solo, duet and quad performances, winning golds, silvers and bronzes across the categories.
Dance teacher Opal Trevor said: “The students have worked hard in their weekly rehearsals and it sure paid off! I am so proud of each one of the dancers, especially five of the dancers in the team where it was their first ever dance competition. Everyone was so professional, kind and great team players. We are now looking forward to the next level championships on 5 February!
“DDC worked alongside Identity School of Dance, and were also awarded with the Sportsmanship Award. Other dance schools commented on their kindness and continuous support throughout the whole day, cheering and praising other dancers while they were performing.”
Student Ciara McKenna, who came second in both Beginners Solo and Duet, said:
“I was so excited. We practised for a long time but I was surprised and happy to hear all the clapping and cheering and to get second place. I’m very tired now, but it was worth the effort!”
Supported Intern Anna Redding, who also took part in competition with Shrewsbury-based dance school Identity School of Dance, had an incredibly busy weekend. Anna was part of a group invited to perform a flash mob at Birmingham New Street Station for the disability campaign #PurpleLightUp on Saturday. Then on Sunday, she performed in the street dance competition for both DDC and Identity’s ‘Limitless’ crew.
She said: “I loved every minute of it. Getting the crowd pumping and then finding out we’d qualified for championships were the highlights.”
Jamie Potton said: “This was my first competition and was my best day ever. I started to cry happy tears and was shaking when we won. We practised really hard. I phoned my Mum, she was really proud of me. My family want to come and see the championships in February.”
Millie Seymour-Hignett said: “I have loved dancing for years but this was my first competition. It was very loud. Everyone was clapping and cheering. I felt the energy, and felt alive. I was on cloud nine and couldn’t be more happy.”
The overall results were:
Over 18 beginners crew
1st place – DDC
Solos: over 18 beginners
1st place – Millie
2nd place – Ciara
3rd place – Jamie
4th place – Andrew
Solos: over 18 advanced:
2nd place – Anna R
6th place – Megan
Over 18 beginners duets
1st place – Millie & Jamie
2nd place – Ciara and Josh
Over 18 intermediate duets
2nd place – Megan and Anna
Over 18 intermediate quads
1st place – Josh, Megan, Ciara and Anna
Telford student gears up for work experience
Could your motor business support a student towards future employment?
A car fanatic student who attends our Telford campus is asking businesses in the area to help him follow his dream of working in the motor industry.
Aaron, a 19-year-old student from Ketley, is an automotive enthusiast who is seeking a work placement at a local vehicle business or dealership.
He is asking garages, dealerships, car sales and car parts businesses, to give him the chance of a lifetime with work experience opportunities in customer service, valeting, car washing or admin. He would be supported by a job coach, and is willing and able to turn his hand to many different jobs.
Aaron, who has a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Condition, is in his third year at Derwen College Telford, in Stafford Park. He hopes to go on to further training and employment after College. His ambition is to combine his skills in Business and basic car maintenance to work in the motor industry.
Currently following a Business Support, Sales and Marketing pathway, Aaron has learnt skills which would be an asset to any business. He currently has work placements at Derwen College Garden Centre & Gift Shop, at the college’s Gobowen Marketplace site. He also has a weekly placement selling Derwen produce and gifts at Much Wenlock’s weekly Friday market. He interacts well with customers and is self motivated.
“I really like serving customers. I didn’t think it would be something I enjoyed but my confidence has grown.
“In the Market, I also have to make sure we’ve got enough stock, stock-take at the end of the day, and count up the money and calculate profits at the end of the day.”
His love of cars means he is also very capable under a car bonnet, able to carry out basic maintenance checks on oil, water, tyre pressure and brakes.
He continues: “I love cars, anything with wheels! I know a lot about how they work, and like helping to fix cars. I’m happy to wash and valet them and to help with many jobs. I’m really hard working and am independent, and getting more independent all the time. My dream job would be to open my own car shop one day!”
Derwen College work experience team support students and interns to find regular weekly placements, and are always pleased to hear from businesses in Horticulture, Hospitality and Food, Retail and Enterprise, and Performing Arts or related sectors.
Just a few hours a week in a work environment provides vital experience for students, which helps them towards employment and a more independent future.
Work experience co-ordinator Abi Baker said:
“Our external work placement programme offers life changing opportunities for students to undertake meaningful, real work experience which is relevant to their learning and future career hopes.
“Telford has many thriving businesses in the automotive industry. We hope that one of them might offer Aaron the chance to prove himself. He is hard working and conscientious, with a genuine passion for cars.
“Businesses that we work with also find that offering work experience is 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 support Aaron’s future prospects, please contact Abi Baker on abi.baker@derwen.ac.uk.
Community thank you to Horticulture team
Derwen College’s Walford students have been awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for their work and contribution to the community.
Horticulture students and staff have been working closely with the Baschurch community and parish council.
They have helped to redesign and maintain the grounds of a Baschurch Cemetery Memorial Garden and roundabout. The team have been thanked for transforming the weed-ridden island into a roundabout to be proud of. They also worked at Baschurch Cemetery Memorial Garden where they created beds and a pergola with climbing plants.
The team have also helped to clear a balance pond in Baschurch. After four visits, 20 hours’ of hard graft and two skip loads, the difference they made was unbelievable.
The team worked exceptionally well on the job. They negotiated duties, supported each other and removed huge amounts of burweed from the pond.
Horticulture students enjoy work experience through their in-house gardening services company, called Leaf It To Us. The Leaf It To Us initiative provides meaningful work experience opportunities for students.
Working as a team
Walford site coordinator Liam Edwards says:
“These projects have been an excellent opportunity for our students to learn new skills and work as a team to develop key transferable skills.”
Baschurch Parish Councillor Andy Woodthorpe says: ” The students at Derwen at Walford produced a very imaginative design for the replanting of the roundabout at the Shrewsbury entrance to Baschurch. It is an important feature of the village and always looks nice thanks to their care. Furthermore, due to their clever design it has withstood the salt on the road during winter time and the drought of the summer of 2022.
“The success of this project led the Parish Council to ask for help in looking after the borders in the cemetery. We are equally pleased with the way that this too has been done. We are hugely appreciative of the help that Derwen College has given to enhance the appearance of public spaces within the village.”
Leaf It To Us have also been involved with projects at local schools and private gardens. They are always happy to hear from individuals or organisations who require gardening or groundswork doing.
For enquiries email Liam Edwards at liam.edwards@derwen.ac.uk
Local actor delivers acting workshop
Performing Arts students were treated to an acting masterclass by television actor Martin Portlock.
Actor Martin, from Oswestry, visited Derwen this week, to inspire students and share the skills he’s learnt during five years as an actor, writer and director.
Most recently, Martin has played Owen in comedy horror Wolf Manor, Aaron in Everything I Know About Love, and directed, wrote and starred in television film Fred and Marv. He also made a special appearance in ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, reaching the show’s semi-finals.
He visited us to answer students’ questions and deliver a workshop which saw students exploring words and emotions.
Martin spoke to students about his time on Britain’s Got Talent, including the fact that he had to spend four hours in make-up beforehand to create his character.
He spoke about his previous employment, including working at the Robert Hunt and Agnes Hunt Hospital, before he made the change of career to pursue acting just five years ago.
He said: “Whether you’re tall or short, in a wheelchair, have long hair, or a mohawk on your head. It doesn’t matter. If you put in the hard work and concentration, you can be anything you want to be!”
Martin gave every student a signed photo from his time on Britain’s Got Talent, and took time to chat to and have photos taken with every student.
The Performing Arts team were thrilled that Martin, who runs adult acting classes and workshops at Ellesmere Town Hall, kindly gave up his time to provide them with a free taster of his talents.
Derwen College Supported Intern Anna Redding, first contacted Martin, and organised his visit as part of her internship role as Development Researcher. Anna has previously been responsible for initiating visits from Waterloo Road actor Sam Retford and Hollyoaks actor Gabriel Clark and scriptwriter Jashree Patel.
If you are able to share expertise with our students, then Anna would love to hear from you. She is currently researching people who could inspire students in Hospitality and Food, Retail and Horticulture as well as in Performing Arts. Email Anna on drinspire@derwen.ac.uk if you can help.
For more information on Martin’s acting classes and workshops telephone 07940502573.
Derwen graduate Amy wins national award
Amy Jude, a remarkable Derwen graduate who inspired and led her peers, and spoke out for people with disabilities, has been named as Adult Student of the Year in the Association of Colleges Student of the Year Awards.
We are bursting with pride that Amy, from Hereford, was crowned Adult Student of the Year. She was nominated by staff for her commitment, passion and sense of justice.
During her time at the College, Amy became an impressive ambassador for people with learning difficulties and disabilities, for women and for all minorities.
Amy graduated from College, earlier this year, after a truly memorable three years as a Performing Arts student.
She is a bold and impressive young woman who has Optic Nerve Hypoplasia – resulting in multiple hormone deficiencies and a visual impairment, autism, hypersensitivity, learning difficulties and ARFID (food intake disorder). She is a force to be reckoned with!
Student Union Board president
During her time at College, she represented fellow students as President of the Student Union Board for two years’ running. She was never afraid to raise issues with the senior leadership team and governors.
She also represented Derwen College at Natspec Student Parliament. Natspec is an association of organisations which offer specialist further education and training for students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, aged 16–25. She was part of the national gathering of student representatives who come together to collaborate on issues that are important to them.
She was also an ambassador for Derwen College at the 2021 Natspec Conference – the largest national event for further education SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) specialists. Amy delivered the opening speech on the final day. She spoke eloquently and with passion about what further education had meant for her.
These achievements are on top of Amy’s studies and work experience as a Performing Arts student. She is a talented actress, who has embraced lead roles in the College’s Christmas and Summer Shows. She took part in community performances and competitions; wrote and delivered moving monologues about inclusion; and inspired dancers of all ages while working at local dance school Identity School of Dance.
Not to mention making time to achieve her Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Amy has risen to every challenge, never allowing disability to become a barrier to her ambitions.
When she heard she had won Student of the Year, Amy said:
“I was a little bit shocked at first, but then very happy. Not only have I made myself and Derwen College proud, my family are all happy too. They’ve been telling everybody. I loved being at Derwen and finding my voice!”
Amy’s mum Kirsten said how proud she was of her, and how wonderful it was to see her grow up to be the strong, independent woman she is today.
‘Flourished in specialist education’
She said: “Specialist education was the making of Amy. She flourished at Barrs Court School, in Hereford. Amy left there as a different person, gaining confidence through school and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
“Then at Derwen we saw her confidence soar. She achieved so much, including her Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, and now Adult Student of the Year. We are very proud that she’s developed from that quiet and shy little girl to a young woman who can deliver a rousing speech or star performance.”
Amy is looking forward to a future role in a television pilot, made by Shropshire’s Rocking Horse Media. She will also be able to celebrate her Adult Student of the Year title again in the spring, when she will be invited to an awards celebration in London to receive her award.
Congratulations
Corrienne Peasgood, President of the Association of Colleges, said:
“Congratulations to Amy, who has won the AoC Adult Student of the Year award. The annual Association of Colleges’ Student of the Year awards celebrate students who stand out from the crowd, have gone above and beyond, whether in college or their local community.
“Each year the level of applications is extremely high, and it goes to show the fantastic work that students are doing in colleges as well as the lengths colleges go to support their students. Well done Amy on winning you should be extremely proud.”
Stamp of approval from National Autistic Society
Derwen College is incredibly proud to have received world-wide autism accreditation which demonstrates our commitment to supporting autistic students.
We were presented with the official accreditation certificate from The National Autistic Society (NAS) at an official ceremony, yesterday.
We marked the grand occasion with a presentation from National Autistic Society Lead Assessor Jonny Knowles. This was followed by afternoon tea served by Hospitality students in The Orangery Restaurant.
Guests included Shropshire Lord-Lieutenant Anna Turner The Office of the Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire, Shropshire Deputy-Lieutenant Mandy Thorn, Oswestry Deputy Mayor Olly Rose, and Selattyn and Gobowen Parish Council Chair Craig Emery.
Also attending were our Chair of Governors K Kimber, Head of Quality Dawn Roberts, Autism Advisor Helen Evans, and members of the college’s Student Union Board: Justin Harley, Varvara Barbieri, Freya Oliver, Ciara McKenna, Lizzy Allen, Megan Probyn and Harry Rowson.
High benchmark
Almost half of our students are autistic. So, to meet the NAS high benchmark is hugely significant.
K Kimber thanked Jonny Knowles for the support that he and NAS have offered to the college over the past three years.
Jonny said: “NAS is 60 years old this year and has been accrediting for 30 year. The award is recognised across the world. Our aim is to create a society that works for autistic people.
“Having spent two days at Derwen College, even staying the night at the College’s Hotel 751, I can say it is unique to anywhere I’ve seen. We were blown away by the unique offer you have here and person-centred aspirations for students.”
Dawn Roberts thanked Jonny for his guidance and support, and also staff across curriculum and care for their hard work.
Derwen College Head of Quality, Dawn Roberts, said that the award was wonderful news for the College. She said:
“The project has been college-wide, combining expertise from the therapies team, nurses, teaching, sports & leisure, and care staff, as well as listening to the needs of the real experts – our students.
“As a College, we were particularly happy with survey feedback from autistic students. More than 30 were surveyed ahead of the assessment team visit, and they unanimously said they were happy at College. Some strengths highlighted by our students included the chance to meet with friends, the work experience opportunities and the support from staff. One student simply said: “I love it here”, which we feel summed up everything we do, perfectly!”
Dance crew rally together for World Tennis Tour
Derwen College students are part of an international tennis festival held in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, from 30 October to 6 November.
Derwen Dance Crew (DDC) are performing at the World Tennis Tour at The Shrewsbury Club.
The Derwen team are over the moon to be at The World Tennis Tour. It is the biggest event in women’s tennis to be staged in England this year, outside of the grass court season. Leading British players and top international stars are expected to feature in a line-up of top ranking stars.
The festival-style tennis event is organised by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), The Shrewsbury Club and Shropshire Festivals.
Eight Derwen students are attending tennis sessions on Saturday, 5 November. They’ll be taking part in a whole host of activities, from Pickleball to Padel tennis, with interactive games and competitions. They will meet some of the players and take part in a “Beat the Coach” competition. They can also watch the singles and doubles semi-finals and enjoy a wide variety of street food.
Derwen works with Tennis Shropshire and the LTA to deliver student tennis sessions as part of the college’s commitment to student sport and wellbeing. We won Disability Programme of the Year at the 2019 County LTA Tennis Awards for our work in creating opportunities in tennis.
Derwen Dance Crew (DDC) are performing on finals day in the closing ceremony on Sunday, 6 November.
Derwen Dance Crew (DDC) are our talented street dance team. The crew are supported by Performing Arts teachers Opal Trevor and Jessie Vaughan. In previous years, DDC have taken part in both specialist and mainstream dance competitions. They have demonstrated skills and confidence, and won medals galore along the way.
The World Tennis Event will be the first high profile event in front of a large audience for some of the newest members of DDC. We know they’ll ace it!
Tickets to the World Tennis Tour at The Shrewsbury Club are still available.
Five stars for Health and Safety
Derwen College has successfully completed a best practice Five Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit, conducted by the British Safety Council.
This five-star health and safety certificate demonstrates our commitment towards the continual improvement of health and safety management systems and associated arrangements.
The College underwent a comprehensive, quantified and robust evaluation of our occupational health and safety policies, processes and practices.
The audit process included documentation review, interviews with senior management, employees and other key stakeholders. As well as with sampling of operational activities. The audit measured performance against key health and safety management best practice indicators. It also included a detailed review of over 60 component elements.
We were awarded a five-star rating following the audit. This is reflective of a best practice organisation.
Mike Robinson, CEO British Safety Council, said:
“The award of a five-star grading following our occupational best practice Health and Safety Audit is an outstanding achievement.
It is reflective of a proactive organisation which is committed to continual improvement in its health and safety arrangements and managing risks to workers’ health, safety and wellbeing. Derwen College should be very proud of this achievement.”
Natalie Bellis, Director of Human Resources and Estates, said:
“We are very pleased that the British Safety Council have recognised the commitment across all areas of College to achieve this top safety rating.
To achieve five stars in such a rigorous audit has been a long process and a concerted team effort. We are delighted to have achieved the highest external accreditation.”
Full time job for former student Ben
We were delighted and proud to hear from former Derwen College student Ben Aston who has gained employment working full time, five days a week for Kier Highways.
Ben, from Sutton Coldfield, is a 28-year-old former Horticulture student who has transferred the skills he learnt at Derwen College to achieve a full time job.
Ben works in a depot in the Highway stores and is really enjoying it. His typical day involves getting up at 5.30am in the morning to be at work for 7. He travels to work by bus to site.
Everyone at Derwen is so proud of how well he is doing. It’s of no surprise that he’s working in this type of industry. Ben was one of a small group of students who took an interest in the building of our new hydrotherapy pool back in 2019, keeping a regular eye on the progress. He was even given a guided tour of the site by builders and architects while it was being built.
Ben, who is autistic, was a dedicated and hard-working student who learnt independence skills, including travel training at Derwen College. He progressed to living in one of the College’s student bungalows, where students have less direct support, and have their own key to come and go as they please.
Ben says: “I loved my time at Derwen. I liked working in the Garden Centre and spending time with friends in the Student Union.”
Ben now lives at home with his mum and told us how much he enjoys having a full-time job and making new friends.
The best thing about his job, he says, is the wages!
“I like having my own money. I like to spend money on going on holiday somewhere sunny like Portugal.
“I also like to spoil our cat Scruffy.”
Mum Helen says: “Ben is doing so well. In fact, as of 1 November, he will be full-time (40 hours per week), getting up at 5.30am to be at work for 7am!
“His employers have been so accommodating and have taken his needs into account in everything they have done. We realise how lucky he is. He works hard and loves his job. Though, his sister jokes that in his high vis, he resembles a highlighter!!”
“Without Derwen though he wouldn’t be half the person he is.”
Amy – shortlisted for Student of the Year
Performing Arts graduate Amy Jude has been shortlisted in the Association of College’s Student of the Year Awards.
Amy has been named in the Adult Student of the Year category. Finalists and winners will be announced next month.
Amy, aged 23, from Herefordshire, was nominated for many different reasons, all of which make her an inspirational ambassador for Derwen College.
Here is a snippet from the nomination, which highlights just a few of the many reasons that we nominated this amazing young woman:
Amy Jude is bright, bold and always ready to stand up for what she believes in, as well as for the rights of fellow students. Amy is an ambassador for College, for people with learning difficulties and disabilities, for women and for all minorities.
She is honest and never afraid to strive for what she believes in, never letting her own health issues become barriers to achieving her goals.
Amy (often known as AJ), is an inspirational young woman with Multiple Pituitary Hormone Deficiency, Autism and visual impairment, as well as other medical conditions, and is a force to be reckoned with.
Student Union President
During her three years at Derwen, she has been a powerful member of the College’s Student Union Board. It was a daunting task to stand up and put herself forward as a new, unknown fresher, but she did it. Her growing confidence and leadership skills saw her rewarded at the ballot box to represent fellow performing arts students, as well as earning a place as Student Union president for two years running.
In the past year, AJ has been a voice for her peers, raising issues with the senior leadership team and governors, and represented College at Natspec parliament – a national gathering of student representatives from specialist colleges. She was also an ambassador for College at Natspec Conference – the largest national event for further education SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) specialists. AJ delivered the opening speech on the final day, speaking eloquently and with passion about what further education had meant for her.
Recently, she spoke to a journalist from FE Week magazine, and so impressing commissioning editor Jess Staufenberg that she was invited to take part of an FE Week podcast about inclusivity.
These achievements are on top of AJ’s studies and work experience as a Performing Arts student. She is a talented actress, who has tackled lead roles in Christmas and Summer Shows, taken part in community performances and competitions, and inspired dancers of all ages while working at a local dance school.
Amy has embraced every opportunity, never allowing disability become a barrier to her ambitions.
Performing Arts lead, Jessie Vaughan says:
“Throughout her time as a Performing Arts student at Derwen College, Amy stood up for what she believed in. Amy took on several leading roles in college productions, always giving her own spin on things – whether an inspirational quote to suit her character development, or contributions in the development of in-house scripts. You can always rely on Amy.”
“Amy has always been honest and open about her diagnosis, and has not let anything get in her way. She is a problem solver, an excellent communicator, has immense courage and a deep empathy and understanding of others’ needs.
“Amy has been given the chance to thrive, there has been no limitation. Giving up is not in Amy’s vocabulary; she is driven and committed and that has been evident in her performance work throughout the three years she has been with us. Amy is an excellent advocate of Performing Arts, Derwen College and, of course, to people with disabilities.”
Amy is bold, and never afraid to express herself. She is encouraging to students and staff and is always there to lift others and look on the brighter side of life. Fingers crossed for a win for AJ. However, what ever happens, she will always be a winner in our eyes!
