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10 questions with a Hollywood star

30th June 2021 by Eluned Watson

Hollywood actress Caroline Goodall has worked with Robin Williams, Sylvester Stallone and Steven Spielberg. Now, she adds Derwen College students to the list of stars she’s worked with.

As part of a new Digital Skills unit at College, Digital Skills teacher Dave Robinson has launched a series of ’10 Questions With …’ video interviews.

We are thrilled to announce that the first one is with actress Caroline Goodall. Caroline has starred in The Princess Diaries, Hook and Schindler’s List. Her film with Derwen College is now also shot, edited and ready to view.

Students were asked to submit their questions to this fascinating actress, who has 30 years’ worth of remarkable stories to tell.

Caroline was a joy to interview. She also sent each student involved in the project a signed photograph from Hook, in which she played Peter’s wife.

Thank you to Caroline for being so generous with your time and gifts. And, thanks to all the students for their brilliant questions.

We can’t wait to see her new film, The Islander, which will hopefully be out soon.

Each student who took part in the ’10 Questions with Caroline’ project received a signed photograph from her.

What is Digital Skills?

Digital Skills at Derwen College covers: using devices and handling information, being safe and responsible online, transacting, communicating. There is a focus on creating and editing.

Digital Skills is involved with all our learning pathways, and gives students the ability to transform some of their unique and exciting ideas into audio, video and photographic projects for everyone to enjoy.

Top awards for Derwen College teachers

29th June 2021 by Eluned Watson

Derwen College welcomed VIPs and media, including BBC Midlands Today and Radio Shropshire to join us in honouring two of our top, most inspirational teachers. Stephen Evans and Jessie Vaughan won much-coveted Bronze and Silver Awards in the Pearson National Teaching Awards.

Selected from thousands of nominations, Derwen College Sports & Leisure Co-ordinator Steve Evans was honoured as one of 102 Pearson National Teaching Silver Award winning teachers across the country. Teacher Steve Evans won the Silver Award in The Award for Excellence in Special Needs Education.

Derwen College Performing Art and Learning for Life teacher Jessie Vaughan has been recognised with a Bronze Award in the Digital Innovator of the Year category.

Steve was commended for his determination to bring out the best in every student. By partnering with community and national sports organisations, Steve has enabled a wide and inclusive range of opportunities for students. His passion and drive has been instrumental in bringing the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards to Derwen College, giving students the opportunity, motivation and self-belief to get involved with these challenging awards, encouraging them to strive and attain goals beyond their expectations.

Steve Evans has now been shortlisted to win one of just 15 Gold Awards later in the year, in a programme which will be broadcast on the BBC.

Jessie was honoured in the Digital Innovator of the Year category for her commitment to embracing technology to engage with students at home and at college. She used online meetings, social media and videos during lockdown, thinking creatively to make sure each and every student felt a part of college even if they were based miles away.

Derwen College held a virtual awards event to reveal the exciting news that they had a Bronze and Silver winner on their staff. We were lucky enough to be joined by VIPs including Lord-Lieutenant Anna Turner JP, Shropshire High Sheriff Tony Morris-Eyton and Oswestry Deputy Mayor Cllr Jay Moore.

Derwen College Principal and CEO Meryl Green, Sports & Leisure Co-ordinator Steve Evans, Performing Arts teacher Jessie Vaughan and Chair of Govenors K Kimber. — Principal Meryl Green and Chair of Governors K Kimber attended the virtual celebration to honour Steve and Jessie.

Derwen College Principal & CEO Meryl Green said:

“We are proud and delighted that teachers Steve and Jessie’s amazing work has been recognised in this way.  Despite the incredible outcomes that their students achieve they remain modest and firmly grounded. For both, students are always centre stage, and going ‘over and above’ is just the norm. At Derwen College, we believe that young people with SEND deserve the best possible life chances and are proud to have staff who do everything in their power to achieve this. Both Jessie and Steve really are an inspiration to students and the colleagues working alongside them.”

Queen’s honour for former Derwen student

29th June 2021 by Eluned Watson

Derwen College student James Beardwell was honoured by the queen for his work in retail during the pandemic. — Former Derwen College student James Beardwell was delighted to receive a Queen’s honour for his work at Sainsbury’s.

We are incredibly proud that a former student has been awarded a British Empire Medal from the Queen. As an extra bonus, he also earned himself a slot on ITV’s This Morning programme presented by hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby.

James Beardwell, who has autism, was named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for his hard work keeping customers safe at his local Sainbury’s supermarket during the pandemic.

He works at Sainsbury’s in Chelmsford, and was a student at Derwen main site, in Gobowen, near Oswestry. James followed a Retail pathway at the college.

His job at Sainsbury’s involves sanitising trolleys at his local store. He was nominated by colleagues for keeping shoppers safe and making them smile.

The award led to a spot on ITV’s This Morning show. James was invited to speak to television presenters Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby. They presented the dedicated football fan with a goodie bag filled with England-football-themed gifts.

‘Well mannered and polite’

Staff member Janet Harris remembers James from his time at Derwen College.

Janet said: “James followed a Retail pathway. I remember him as pleasant, well-mannered and polite, and always well presented. He was hard working and punctual, a real asset to any employer.

“He enjoyed a work experience placement at Iceland in Oswestry, represented college at water polo and football and was an ardent football supporter.”

Simon Roberts, CEO at Sainsbury’s, said that the supermarket was delighted to congratulate James.

“On behalf of everyone at Sainsbury’s, I would like to say a huge congratulations for being awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2021.

“James, who is autistic and experiences anxiety, initially found it difficult to adjust to the pandemic. However, he was committed to playing his part in feeding the nation and continued to go above and beyond for our customers.”

Aspirations towards employement

Derwen College Principal & CEO Meryl Green said:

“I remember James very well and everyone here at Derwen College is incredibly proud of his achievements. We work hard to support students to reach their aspirations towards employment and maximum independence and love to hear many success stories from former students. However, I think this is the first time that one of our students has been honoured by the Queen!”

Derwen College wins Tes FE Award 2021

2nd June 2021 by Eluned Watson

Derwen College's Chair of Governors K Kimber and Principal & CEO Meryl Green celebrate the college's Specialist Provider of the year status with students Courtney and Joe. — Chair of Governors K Kimber, students Courtney and Joe, and Principal Meryl Green celebrate being named Specialist Provider of the Year.

Everyone at Derwen College is over the moon to have scooped a teaching award that is the further education equivalent of the Oscars.

We have received the Tes FE Award for Specialist Provider of the Year in these top awards which recognise those that work in further education.

Staff and students were delighted to receive such fabulous news during what has been an incredibly challenging year.

Judges praised Derwen College for doing everything in our power to continue our mission to create a world without barriers for our students with SEND, even during a pandemic.

When the pandemic hit, we didn’t just survive: we thrived! Staff across curriculum, care and support came together with parents, carers, supporters and industry partners. We ensured that work, independence skills, health, fitness, sports and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award all continued. Though, often in different ways.

Retail student Mia arranges stock in The Vintage Advantage charity shop.

We set up our brand new on-site charity shop The Vintage Advantage. We launched an online eBay shop and a new takeaway service for staff and students. This ensured that work placements for students continued.

Staff worked tirelessly to host annual events virtually, including open days, sports day, competitions, a prom and graduation ceremony.

Derwen College even opened a new Telford campus as planned in September 2020. This site delivers much-needed provision to students with SEND in the area.

Commitment and creativity

Our Chair of Governors Kathleen Kimber said:

“We have long been proud of how Derwen works with its students and their achievements never fail to amaze us. Recently the staff have gone above and beyond what could have been expected of them. Their commitment and creativity during long periods when students were having to isolate in bubbles here or spend time at home have been outstanding.

“What has been striking is that student engagement and enjoyment have been very evident. There has been a sense of fun. New ventures have been successfully launched, either to offer an alternative to work experience off-site or to bring to fruition a planned development, such as the opening of the new satellite at Telford. Thank you to all the staff; well done to all students. We know we shall build further on this.”

Year of triumphs

Derwen College Principal and CEO Meryl Green said:

“I would like to say a huge thank you to every single member of staff at Derwen College. This award recognises the commitment, imagination, passion and resilience of staff across College campuses. It has been a year of triumphs for the college during some challenging times. We are honoured to have been recognised by judges who are experts in the field of education. The Specialist Provider of the Year category has many contenders of an impressive calibre who have all worked tirelessly to support people with SEND in further education. We couldn’t be happier to have received an award of such high esteem.”

Tes FE Awards 2021 lead judge Lynette Barrett said:

“During such adverse and difficult times, this college has shown how it has remained focused on student achievements and outcomes. The pandemic did not hold this college back; it initiated new projects, which meant student outcomes could be achieved, and learners remained safe and engaged in their education.

“The staff worked relentlessly to remain open and create new ways of working, which allowed some of the most vulnerable young people in society to achieve their outcomes without compromise.”

New look for Derwen Walled Garden Cafe

28th May 2021 by Eluned Watson

The Walled Garden Café, at Derwen College, is welcoming back customers, and there’s a new look and a new menu.

Derwen Walled Garden Café, in Gobowen, near Oswestry, has reopened with a bright new look and delicious home-cooked menu. And, both have already garnered high praise from visitors.

The college is welcoming back customers to eat inside the newly redecorated Walled Garden Cafe. Or, for sunnier days, they can enjoy sitting in the outside seating area or stunning Walled Garden.

The Walled Garden Café at Derwen offers a fun new gardening-themed menu offering a range of delicious delights. For example, there’s a Gardener’s Breakfast for the early planters or a chunky sandwich for those who need a lunch-time boost after some heavy digging. So, there’s certainly something for the whole family.

The menu features breakfasts, sandwiches, jacket potatoes, salads, paninis, soup, hand-made cake and the new ‘sandini’ which has become a hot topic. For youngsters, there’s the ‘Seedlings Lunch Box’.

Wonderful reviews

Pete Evans. Commercial Manager, says that staff and students are over the moon to welcome back customers to the Derwen Walled Garden Café. Feedback from visitors, he says, has been overwhelming.

“Everyone is loving the new garden-themed menu because it has something for everyone, even those who don’t have greenfingers!

“The new ‘sandini’ has got people talking. It has been likened to a toasted sandwich, but we think it’s a bit more special than that.”

“Visitors are enjoying our outside areas on sunny days. But for the more dreary days, we’ve brought an al fresco flavour inside as well.

“It’s wonderful to see our regular customers returning and to meet families, home-workers, couples and gardeners who are discovering us for the first time. “

As well as the delightful Walled Garden Café, the Derwen College site also features a new ‘Vintage Advantage’ charity shop and a well-stocked Garden Centre and Gift Shop, along with free parking and a friendly welcome.

For more information about eating and shopping at Derwen College, and to see the new menu, go to www.visitderwen.co.uk

Derwen@Telford’s first pop-up stall

20th May 2021 by Eluned Watson

Visitors from local business, families and friends of students flocked to Derwen College’s first Telford market stall.

Students with learning difficulties, disabilities and autism practised their hospitality, customer service and business skills on a pop-market stall at Derwen@Telford this week. The stall was run by day students at the college’s Telford satellite, and visiting Retail & Enterprise students from the college’s site near Oswestry.

Derwen College, which opened its newest satellite site in Telford last September, invited families, supporters and the community, to join them at their Stafford Park site for drinks, snacks, and gifts and goodies galore.

Derwen@Telford students, who are based at Stafford Park 7, in Telford, were joined by staff and students from the college’s Gobowen site who brought home-made bread, jam, chutney and cakes made in the college’s on-site Food Centre. There was also handmade jewellery and bags, candles, soaps, snacks, chocolates, crisps and drinks.

Derwen@Telford satellite lead Lucy Harrison said that students and staff were excited to use their work skills for the first of many stalls and that the day was a great success.

She said: “Day students at Derwen@Telford learn business and hospitality skills which they were able to put into practice in preparing for this event, as well as serving and greeting people on the day. We created flyers and posters to encourage visitors from the local business area, and contacted families, parents, professionals and families from local schools.

“We were extremely busy printing promotional materials such as stickers with our branding on.

“So were really happy to be rewarded by so many visitors to our site. It was wonderful for students to enjoy their first customer-facing roles, and for people in the community to find out more about what we do. Our stall also made a grand total of £340!”

To find out more about learning, independence and work experience as a day or residential student at Derwen College, then sign up to the College’s Summer Open Day on 26^th June.

Or sign up to find out more about our satellite sites at Telford, Baschurch and Craven Arms.

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