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Last week, Principal Meryl Green and Head of Curriculum Zoe Wood visited the Middle East.

They were invited to offer their expertise and experience to support a brand new specialist college opening across the globe.

Zoe Wood and Meryl Green from Derwen College, meet key people involved in the Kuwait Society for the Handicapped’s project to develop the country’s first ever specialist further education college for young people with SEND.
Shikka Tiwari, Director/First Secretary Commercial Trade & Investment, Bara’a Al-Jenae, KSH Deputy Director, Neil Bevan, Starfish Labs CEO, Zoe Wood, Derwen College Head of Curriculum, Meryl Green, Derwen College Principal & CEO, Belinda Lewis, Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Dr Elham Alhamdan, Director General KSH, Noura Jaber H Al-Ghurair, KSH Board, and Alan Menezes Senior Trade Advisor.

They were asked to share expertise gained at Derwen; expertise which will transform the lives of people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) across the world.

The College is working with the Kuwait Society for the Handicapped (KSH). KSH are developing the country’s first ever specialist further education college for young people with SEND.

Therefore, Meryl and Zoe were invited to visit the new purpose-built specialist college in Kuwait. The college opens in September.

The visit marks the beginning of a long-term relationship with KSH. Led by Meryl and Zoe, Derwen will aid the design and implementation of specialist vocational and independence programmes. These programmes are tailored to meet individual support needs.

‘We look forward to sharing our expertise to enable young people with SEND to achieve aspirations.’

Meryl Green said,

“We are proud to be supporting KSH in developing the vocational curriculum for this ground-breaking new college in Kuwait.

Bara’a Al-Jenae, deputy director KSH, Neil Bevan, Starfish Labs CEO, Meryl Green, Derwen College Principal & CEO, Zoe Wood, Derwen College Head of Curriculum pictured with the KSH construction manager and his team.
Bara’a Al-Jenae, deputy director KSH, Neil Bevan, Starfish Labs CEO, Meryl Green, Derwen College Principal & CEO, Zoe Wood, Derwen College Head of Curriculum pictured with the KSH construction manager and his team.

The vision and ambition of the team at KSH has been superb. It’s been a privilege to experience that first hand. We look forward to sharing our expertise to support them in enabling young people with SEND to achieve their aspirations. I am sure the new college will be a huge success.”

Meryl and Zoe were delighted to also meet the British Ambassador to Kuwait, Belinda Lewis. She was interested to hear about the exciting project, and how a well-established, British organisation is lending its expertise.

Derwen College visited along with Neil Bevan of Starfish Labs. Starfish work with Derwen to develop award-winning apps. These apps have already supported people with learning difficulties and disabilities towards employment.


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