Our timeline highlights just some of the key achievements and developments at Derwen College over the past 90 years.
Derwen College’s history starts at Dame Agnes Hunt’s Baschurch home, fifteen miles from its current location in Gobowen. Agnes Hunt was a visionary but the facilities at Derwen now would exceed even her most ambitious dreams.As you can imagine a lot has changed over the 90 years since Dame Agnes Hunt established (what was then known as) Derwen Cripples’ Training College – that includes written and spoken English.
Agnes used descriptive language that would not be deemed appropriate today. We wanted to include quotes and references in this timeline to give you a sense of time and place – and to do that we have used Agnes’ own words.
Agnes Hunt is born
Agnes Gwendoline Hunt was born in 1866 Although in her book ‘This is my life’, Agnes says she was born in 1867, her birth certificate states she was born 31st December..Read More
Dame Agnes Hunt
In 1926 Agnes Hunt became Dame Agnes Hunt when she was awarded Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the Birthday Honours. Transcript of Agnes’s DBE: “George..Read More
Derwen Training College Founded June 1927
In 1927, what we now know as Derwen College, was initially set up in ‘a couple of vacant huts in the grounds’ of the orthopaedic hospital. Here Dame Agnes founded the..Read More
Mr Rhaiadr Jones and his wife are appointed Manager and Matron
In Dame Agnes’ own words, her prayers were answered early in 1929 when Mr Rhaiadr Jones and his wife were appointed Manager and Matron of the college. Dame Agnes continued..Read More
22nd January Prince George lays Foundation Stone
On 22nd January 1932 Prince George visited Derwen College. During his visit, His Royal Highness performed two ceremonies – to lay the foundation stone of the Village Settlement Scheme and..Read More
Dame Agnes Hunt dies aged 81 years old
On 24th July 1948, Dame Agnes Hunt died aged 81. Agnes was truly a pioneering woman who left behind her an amazing legacy. In a memorial to her written shortly..Read More
Work starts on Agnes Hunt Village
In 1952 work began on Agnes’s final dream – a housing development purpose-built for the disabled. ‘Agnes Hunt Village’, was started following an appeal by The Rt. Hon. The Lord..Read More
Mr Jim Kendall leads Derwen College into a new era
In 1966 Mr Jim Kendall, an Orthopaedic Consultant, returned to the College as Medical Director having previously worked at The Derwen when it was a military hospital. He was instrumental..Read More
Swimming pool built
The swimming pool was built in 1971 at a cost of £15,800. Forty-six years later, in 2017, we raised £50,000 – enough to replace the pool’s heating system. This ensure’s..Read More
Concert Hall destroyed in fire
After a fire completely gutted the concert hall in 1982 a fundraising effort went in to full swing and in the same year a new concert hall was built. The..Read More
The Derwen College Garden Centre opens
The Derwen College Garden Centre has changed a lot in the years since it first opened in 1986. The Garden Centre was the first part of Derwen Enterprises – which..Read More
Walled Garden presented to the college from Shropshire Horticultural Society
The Walled Garden, which was presented to Derwen College from the Shropshire Horticultural Society in 1989, continues to change and develop in order to provide our students with learning opportunities...Read More
Expansion and development of Derwen continues under David Kendall
Following Mr Jim Kendall’s retirement, in 1990 Mr David Kendall was appointed by the Governors as Director of the College and continued to increase student numbers. David established Derwen Enterprises,..Read More
Orangery Restaurant opens
The Orangery Restaurant is a training restaurant for our Hospitality and Food students. Situated on the ground floor of the original Derwen farmhouse, The Orangery is a great venue..Read More
Derwen College is the first Ofsted Outstanding Specialist Independent College
In 2006 Derwen College became the first Specialist Independent College for learners with Learning Difficulties and Disabilities to be awarded an Ofsted Outstanding grading. * Image is from 2016 –..Read More
Young’s Farm Shop opens
The farm shop provides an outlet on site for us to sell our range of dc handmade jams, chutneys, breads, cakes, gifts and cards. Since opening, the farm shop has..Read More
Ruth Thomas appointed as Principal and CEO
In 2012 David Kendall retired. Ruth Thomas is appointed as Principal and CEO.
Derwen College is awarded a second Ofsted Outstanding result
In 2012 Derwen College was award a second, consecutive, Ofsted Outstanding result * Image is from 2016 – Derwen’s third Outstanding Ofsted result You can view all of Derwen College’s..Read More
Bradbury Food Centre opens
In 2013 the Bradbury Food Centre opened and provides kitchen facilities for students on the Hospitality and Food pathway. Students work in the Food Centre to produce bread, jams and chutneys. ..Read More
Derwen College receives third consecutive Ofsted Outstanding grading
“We are immensely proud of this result. The outcome of the inspection highlights the unique work that goes on here at Derwen College. Inspectors were clearly impressed by the culture..Read More
Premier Inn Training Centre opens
As you wander down the corridor past the well-appointed bedrooms kitted out to the latest design, you may be mistaken for thinking that you have walked into the one of..Read More
Meryl Green is appointed as Principal and CEO
Meryl Green is appointed as Principal and CEO of Derwen College in 2019. In 2019 she also marked 20 years in the specialist education industry and two years at the..Read More
A brand new state-of-the-art hydrotherapy pool opens
A brand new state-of-the-art hydrotherapy pool built to support students at Derwen College officially opened in September 2019. The grand opening saw attendees including local dignitaries, the High Sheriff of..Read More
Derwen @ Telford opens
Derwen@Telford opened in September 2020. It is the latest of our three satellite sites in Shropshire. Students at Derwen@Telford have the opportunity to access a broad ranging curriculum. Find out..Read More
