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.”