specialist college

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.”

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.

Christmas visit from Promise

15th December 2020 by Eluned Watson

Mother and son Sue and Tom Prisk, from London shop and online community interest company Promise in Store, visited Derwen College this term. They came to collect Christmas cards, jams and chutneys to sell to festive shoppers.

Derwen College is very pleased to supply goods and printing services provided by Retail and Hospitality pathways to Promise: a business that shares the College’s goals and values. Promise in Store sources beautiful gifts and cards from across the UK which create training and employment opportunities to people with learning difficulties and disabilities.

Owner Sue Prisk and her son Tom – a former student at Derwen College – visited College in the run-up to Christmas. They came to pick up beautiful Christmas cards which have been printed by Retail students at the College-run Karten Print Shop.

Sue Prisk said: “We believe everyone has the right to work, to develop skills and to be creative. It is important that we work with organisations like Derwen College, that provide quality products and support the employment of people with learning difficulties, disabilities, or need a bit of extra support in society.”

“We work in partnership with a range of organisations across the UK to source beautiful gifts, and we build and nurture these partnerships”

Work experience

Cards with a range of designs were printed by Retail students as part of their work experience at Derwen College.

Promise in Store also sells a range of award-winning Made@Derwen jams and chutneys made by Hospitality & Housekeeping students. These are made in the College’s Food Centre and labelled by Retail students.

Picking up stock from Derwen College is a journey down memory lane for Tom Prisk, who has Down’s Syndrome. Tom was a Retail student at the College, and used to work in the Karten Print Shop.

Tom, who is 24 years old and finished at College in 2018, said: “I like coming back to see the College. I liked working with Jerry in Karten Print Shop when I was here, as well as in the farm shop.

“There have been a lot of changes since I was here, but it brings back memories.”

“I learnt a lot about working in retail, and also about cooking and independence skills.”

Find out more about Promise in Store here.

Meet Derwen’s new Head of Technology

23rd September 2020 by Eluned Watson

Shropshire specialist FE college Derwen College, in Gobowen, has appointed Dan Rowley in a new position as Head of Digital Services and Technology.

The college, which teaches vocational and independence skills to young adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), started a new academic year with Dan in his new role as head of technology.

Dan has a wealth of experience working in IT in educational settings. He has held previous positions as Strategic IT Manager at Thomas Adams Secondary School, in Wem; worked as IT support at Concord College, near Shrewsbury; and at Adams Grammar School, in Newport.

Dan was delighted to accept the role which sees him further establish and grow the college’s technological expertise. Technology is used for student support, management information systems, data collection and staff communications.

“We will be building on existing systems and upgrading where necessary. My role encompasses all technology at the college from management information systems to technology that support students in their learning, care and wellbeing.

“I am particularly excited to be looking into technology to assist students’ learning,” he says.

Impressed by current innovations

Dan says he was very interested to work at Derwen College, especially after doing his research on the college which provides work training, work placements and independence skills.

“I was very impressed to see the work the college had already embarked on. The college has developed some innovative apps to support students into work, which I’m very interested in. As well as systems to streamline information across college departments.”

In addition to his IT and networking knowledge, Dan hope to bring his expertise in education and working with young people to the role. He has previously worked as a boarding tutor, and is interested in getting to know and understand students and staff.

He said: “With current Covid safety guidelines it has been difficult to interact with students and staff as much as I’d like immediately. However, I believe it is important to all work together to achieve the very best for the college.

“I am keen to move away from the ‘IT Crowd’ type stigma of the IT team hidden away. It’s vital that we are visible, and listen and react to student and staff feedback.”

Dan is married – he and his wife-to-be eloped to New York last Christmas. He has two young children, a two-year-old son and a new-born daughter. When he has time (and isn’t exhausted) he likes getting out on his bike to relax.

Natalie Bellis, Derwen College Director of Human Resources, said:

“It is a pleasure to welcome Dan to his new role at Derwen College.

“We value his expertise in IT and experience in a wide variety of educational establishments.

Derwen College uses technology to support students and staff in many different ways, and it is vital that we keep abreast of the latest systems and technological advancements.

“We are confident that Dan and our existing IT team, in collaboration with staff and students, can enhance Derwen’s position as a leading light in technology in specialist further education.”

New crop of preserves for British Food Fortnight

18th September 2020 by Eluned Watson

Jake shows off the new Pear and Walnut Chutney

Derwen College, near Oswestry, marks British Food Fortnight from 19th September to 4th October by launching a new range of Made@Derwen seasonal jams and chutneys.

Using British produce, some of it grown on site, students at the college, in Gobowen, have been busy helping to produce a new range of Made@Derwen chutneys and jams. These are inspired by the college’s autumnal crops.

Because of Derwen’s own harvest of plums, pears and apples, the college is proud to produce British fare using local ingredients.

Hospitality & Housekeeping students at the college for young adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have supported Derwen Food Centre cook Tracey Southern. So, between them, they have peeled, chopped, boiled and stirred to create new recipes. These include Pear and Walnut Chutney, Cinnamon Scented Plum Jam, Beer Mustard and Deluxe Mincemeat.

The range will be added to current Made@Derwen favourites which include the college’s Great Taste Award-winning Raspberry Jam and Spiced Apple Chutney.

Cook Tracey Southern said: “We were keen to use the abundance of fruit we have growing in our orchard which included pears, plums and apples. So, I came up with some seasonal recipes which are perfect for autumn, and will make lovely Christmas presents.”

Derwen College supports Love British Food

Derwen College jams and chutneys are sold in the college’s Garden Centre Shop alongside home-made cakes and bread. The shop also stocks cards and gifts, as well as seasonal plants to brighten up an autumn garden.

Derwen College Made@Derwen chutneys and jam — Sam with the new Made@Derwen Beer Mustard and Deluxe Mincemeat

Derwen’s Garden Café serves up a traditional British menu seven days a week. The menu offers English breakfasts, scones with butter and jam, home-made cakes and light lunches.

Derwen College gives students the opportunity to learn new skills in real work environments. They learn life skills which will enable them to live as independently as possible. Students learn skills in Hospitality & Housekeeping, Horticulture, Retail or Performing Arts.

For more information regarding Derwen College’s Garden Centre and Shop click here.. To find out more about learning at the college click here.

Pool makes a splash in building awards

31st July 2020 by Eluned Watson

Derwen College has been shortlisted for a prestigious building award for its innovative new hydrotherapy centre.

The Shropshire specialist further education college’s Bradbury Hydrotherapy Pool has been named as a finalist in the West Midlands LABC Building Excellence Awards 2020.

The pool and therapy building opened in September 2019. It has been shortlisted for Best Public Service or Educational Building award. The winners will be announced on Thursday, 10th September 2020.

The hydrotherapy pool building was designed by Gareth Edwards of local architectural practice DPA Design in collaboration with the college’s therapies team. It was constructed by builders Jones Brothers.

Derwen College estates and facilities manager, Paul Lindop said:

“We were delighted to be shortlisted in the LABS Building Excellence Awards for the Bradbury Hydrotherapy Pool. The state-of-the-art pool was opened in September 2019. It was built to support students in their physiotherapy and sensory needs. To create a building that was innovative in design and build, whilst focused on students’ and therapists’ needs, involved outstanding partnerships between architects, builders and therapists. We are very proud to be recognised for such a prestigious award.”

Thank you to supporters

College Principal Meryl Green said:

“These awards recognise high-quality design and build. To be shortlisted is testament to the work carried out by a dedicated team who went to great lengths to understand the needs of college and students.

“The hydrotherapy pool has benefitted from generous donations from many community groups and leading grant makers. These included The Bradbury foundation, St James’s Place Charitable Foundation and Garfield Weston Foundation.”

Awards events co-ordinator Jodie Nash said that organisers were determined to recognise the finalists virtually.

She said: “Competition has been stronger than ever this year and being shortlisted is a great accomplishment. Our judges have seen a number of fantastic projects and we believe it’s still important to celebrate the projects completed throughout our regions. Therefore we’ve made the decision to celebrate our award winners digitally for 2020.”

The winners’ presentations take place on Thursday, 10^th September 2020.

specialist college

Top awards for Derwen College teachers

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.

Derwen@Telford’s first pop-up stall

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