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Derwen College has been shortlisted for two awards in the 2020 Natspec Awards. Natspec, the voice of specialist further education announced the shortlist earlier this week.

 Derwen College has been shortlisted in the categories for Innovative Use of Technology and Partnership Working. The winners will be announced in October.

 The Natspec Awards recognise and celebrate excellent practice in the specialist further education sector. They also help to promote continuous improvement and raise standards in the sector.  2020 is the inaugural year of the awards, recognising six areas of practice where specialist providers are doing amazing and incredible things. Shortlisted entries will now go forward to be considered by an independent panel of experts chaired by Nigel Evans former lead HMI for High Needs.

Clare Howard, Natspec’s Chief Executive said  “At Natspec we greatly value the skills and talents of staff working in the specialist further education sector. Their work deserves to be recognised and celebrated and the Natspec Awards provide the perfect opportunity to do this.

The entries covered a great variety of work illustrating the diverse and innovative practice across the specialist further education sector.

Overall, the standard of entries was high, and some difficult decisions had to be made when finalising the shortlists.

I am pleased to announce the shortlisted entries for each award category. Many congratulations to all who have made to the shortlists and many thanks to everyone who sent in entries this year.”

Principal at Derwen College, Meryl Green commented on hearing the news “ We are delighted to be shortlisted in both of these categories and they truly highlight the innovative work Derwen is carrying out in these areas as well as the commitment from all our colleagues in providing outstanding learning here.”

For more information click here.

Cerys is a day student following the Creative Arts pathway at Derwen College. She is most at home when performing and is a member of the college’s sign, song and dance group DOT (Derwen on Tour). She played the lead role of Peter Pan in the College’s Christmas show.

Cerys has a diagnosis of Tuberous Sclerosis and epilepsy, Autistic Spectrum Condition and anxiety. She is former pupil of Beaucroft special school in Dorset.

We asked Cerys and her mum about what first attracted them to Derwen and whether it has lived up to their expectations.

Why did you want to come to Derwen College?

Mum: In preparation for Cerys’s transition to post 16, I searched the NATSPEC database for the course she really wanted to pursue, something to do with the performing arts, and found only a handful of specialist providers that were able to meet her medical needs and also offered a true performing arts qualification.

When we visited and I found out more about the college I was inspired by the ethos of Derwen. The students were an integral part of the college with pathways providing practical work skills rather than all classroom based learning. We were looking for a Uni for Cerys’s sister at the same time and it was wonderful to see the campus student experience echoed at Derwen. A Student Union building/cyber centre in the Bradbury/ residences which provided progression as students grew in independence from shared bigger houses to smaller bungalows and flats which reflected the supported living in the community. We felt Cerys would thrive at Derwen and we were right!

Cerys: I wasn’t sure at first but visited and really liked the Creative Arts department

How did you feel when you first started at Derwen?

Cerys: Nervous and worried, it was very big but student services team helped me feel safe. It took a while to get to know and trust people and find my way around.

What do you most enjoy about Creative Studies?

Cerys: I really like the staff they really help me. I do DOT and really enjoy the panto and summer shows. I played the lead role in the Christmas show – Peter Pan, I had a lot of lines to memorise. It was my dream to play the lead role in a Panto.  I love performing.

What things do you enjoy most about life at Derwen?

Cerys: Seeing my friends and hanging out with them. I have some friends at Derwen. The staff have helped me when I have struggled to know how to be with my friends. We hang out together and talk about lots of things. We sometimes go on trips together and they come to Corner House (day student area) for lunch.

Can you describe a typical day as a day student?

At 8 o’clock, I leave home with Mum and come into college. I sign in at Day Students then I meet my friends. At 9am I go to work, these change every day my favourite sessions are BTEC Performing arts, Screen printing, DC Narrators and Derwen on Tour (DOT) practice. 10.30am,  its break , this is when I got to the Student Union and meet my friends, we can have a drink there. 11.00am, it’s back to work. 12.30pm it’s lunch in Corner House (day students area). When I am on Independent Living Skills session I make lunch for all the day students. 1.30pm back to work. 3.30pm final break. 4pm enrichment time –  I chose Female football, Arts, Move & Relaxation and Student Union Board meeting. 5pm I meet Mum, as it’s home time.

What you would you like to do when you leave Derwen?

I would love to work backstage as a director or costume helper. I would like to be in supported living

What have you learnt over your time at Derwen?

Cerys: I think I have changed and I have learnt loads of stuff at my time in Derwen mostly in ILS (independent living skills) like money handling, making and baking stuff and in Creative Arts I have learnt Performance skills. I have learnt to be more confident in myself and being on the Student Union Board has helped me with my team work.

Mum: Cerys has grown so much over her time at Derwen. She is so much more confident in her social interactions and her self belief. She is able to manage some of the emotions that used to overwhelm her. She has learnt to articulate her feelings, sustain friendships, have pride in her work but most of all have pride and belief in herself. Cerys has a clear vision of where she wants to go in life and Derwen College was the springboard to get her there.

First year Creative Arts student Geraint enjoys the college sports facilities, swimming pool and gym, takes part in basketball and football sessions. His first love is performing arts; he is part of Derwen College’s Makaton Choir, enjoys dance, and is looking forward to being involved in future College shows.

We asked Geraint and his mum Sarah about how they discovered Derwen and what Geraint has enjoyed over this first term at Derwen.

How did you first find out about Derwen College?

I was visiting my nephew who was an in-patient at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital in Gobowen. I was looking for books and educational items for him to make his stay more stimulating and I came across the Derwen Garden Centre by chance. Meeting disabled people working there, I remember thinking ‘how cool is this?’ I asked a member of staff to tell me more and she explained it was a college for people with special educational needs and disabilities. I went home and did some research, wondering if it would be a place my son might fit into to learn theatre skills alongside receiving the speech therapy he needs.

When you visited, what made you and Geraint think that it was the right place?
Seeing other students with Down’s Syndrome (currently 16% of Derwen students) made me feel that this would benefit Geraint because he’d just be part of the ordinary everyday which is what we both want. I was particularly interested in the performing arts aspect and I was able to visit a performance class which really grabbed my interest.

How did you find the Admissions process?
The admissions process initially seemed daunting but I managed to work through it. I was supported by the team of professionals around Geraint back home who all felt excited about the idea of letting Geraint have the going away to college experience, a long-standing ambition of mine for him.

Did you know from the beginning which pathway Geraint wanted to follow?
Creative Arts – in particular the performance and theatre aspect which is Geraint’s long-standing passion. His ambition is to perform on stage. I believe theatre is a helpful subject to pursue because of Geraint’s severe communication disabilities and need for speech and language therapy. Theatre can be so empowering in this context.

What does Geraint enjoy most about his time at Derwen?
Geraint says: ‘shopping, music, going bowling’. He likes engaging with the staff. He’s proud of moving on from the family environment.

What has Geraint learnt over his time at Derwen?
Geraint is learning to transfer skills he learned at home – such as keeping his room organised, helping with shopping, planning meals – into a new environment in his residency. He’s always been helpful, he is still! It’s great that he’s broadened his horizons to move on to new things.

Where are Geraint’s aspirations for the future?
Geraint wants to learn to be a performer, go on stage and entertain people. He’s The Greatest Showman!

What makes you proud to support World Down Syndrome Day?
People with Down’s Syndrome are rightly stepping up and self-advocating. I’m delighted to see people living with Downs becoming visible, active members of society; as talented, engaging individuals. World Down Syndrome Day aims to raise the profile of people living with the condition and I wholeheartedly support it. It’s also such a fun day for everyone, and right now we all need some extra fun.

Watch Derwen College’s World Down Syndrome Day video here.

It’s World Down Syndrome Day on 21st March – which is the perfect excuse to share Sam’s Derwen College journey.  Sam is in his third year at Derwen College and works within the Retail pathway where he is learning valuable work and independence skills.

Sam, whose family live in London, is a hardworking, diligent and dedicated student who relishes work placements both on and off site.

As a final year student, in preparation for transition back to his local authority, a large part of his timetable involves real work. He works at the College’s Karten Print Shop and on the weekly Derwen College Oswestry Market stall. He also has a regular work placement at Nightingales Charity Shop in Wrexham.

He is the first of our students to be offered a work placement at Severn Trent Water’s main Shrewsbury, where his work has seen him man reception, greeting customers, using the intercom and doing safety checks around the buildings. Sam enjoys transferring his work skills to a new setting.

“I feel I am learning to be confident in a different work place – it’s a completely different set up to college,” he says.

Outside of work, Sam has used his initiative, passion, and determination to support the college’s fundraising initiatives and to represent his fellow students on the college’s Student Union Board.

Sam has played an active role in raising awareness of the college’s ‘Agnes Hunt Village Project’, a £1 million project to modernise the bespoke housing complex at the college to create homes to support students’ independent living skills.

Sam, who has Down’s Syndrome and a moderate learning difficulty, spoke in front of an audience at the recent fundraising launch with members of the local community. He explained how important such projects to improve facilities at the college are to him and his friends. Sam emphasised the importance of modernising the facilities to ensure they are fully accessible, clearly displaying Sam’s caring nature.

Sam’s passion and determination to ensure that every student’s voice is heard has led to a role on the college’s Student Union Board. Sam has been elected onto the board as representative for the Retail department, making speeches and participating in democratic procedures. Sam’s role on the Student Union Board involves communicating with his peers and sharing their views in meetings with senior management and governors in order to affect change at the college. Sam has embraced this role and thrives when being provided with opportunities to help others and raise awareness.

Sam’s learning in work and independence has seen his confidence grow, and made him less reliant on his parents when he goes home. He was nominated in the Shropshire High Sheriff’s Young Citizen Awards. and is always very willing and motivated to succeed. He is an asset to the Retail pathway and Derwen College community.

Watch Derwen College’s World Down Syndrome Day video by clicking here.

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