specialist college

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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.

Olive leads the way for Derwen College Charity

3rd July 2020 by Eluned Watson

An Oswestry pensioner has stepped up to raise funds for Derwen College Charity after embarking on her own sponsored walk after the college’s official walk was cancelled.

Olive Morris, aged 76, has raised £250 for specialist Derwen College, in Gobowen, by completing a 10km from her home. The route passed Babbinswood, Middleton and Aston Hall.

Ms Morris, who has completed 51 official sponsored walks for the residential and day college for young adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), said she was determined to do her bit for the college.

“I had already raised a lot of money before the walk was cancelled because of the coronavirus. So, doing the walk on my own seemed the right thing to do,” she said.

Ms Morris started walking for Derwen College 52 years ago, and has taken part every year since.

She walked the 10km route on what would have been Derwen College Fete day, another charity event which unfortunately had to be cancelled.

“I’ve always enjoyed walking, and it has become a tradition that I enjoy. This year, was different with being on my own and taking a new route, but it was a lovely day to be out walking. I took some pictures around the route as proof I’d completed the 10km. I haven’t managed to raise as much as I usually do. I normally collect around £500, but it has been more difficult to see people.

“I’d like to thank everyone who sponsored me. I always said I would retire from the walk when I got to 70 but as long as I’m fit enough, I plan to keep on going.”

Olive has kept herself fit by walking and gardening during lockdown, regularly attending to her garden and allotment. Although she says she has missed many of her evening social clubs which include dancing, whist and gardening clubs.

Derwen College fundraiser Anna Evans said she was delighted that Ms Morris had raised such a lot of money for the college, despite the walk being cancelled.

She said: “Olive Morris is an inspiration. We are so grateful that she used her imagination and continued to raise money for Derwen College Charity even when the official walk had to be called off. It’s a difficult time for charities; we have had to cancel big fundraisers including the Sponsored Walk and Run and Summer Fete. We estimate that we have lost a potential £50,000 worth of charity funds due to the coronavirus. We hope that others might take inspiration from Olive to find new ways to raise money which supports students with SEND in developing their learning and independence skills.”

Derwen College is busy planning alternative fundraising events including a challenging virtual walk for staff and student families in August. Find out more about supporting Derwen College Charity here or contact Anna Evans at [email protected] for more information or to share your fundraising ideas.

The walk must go on

12th June 2020 by Eluned Watson

Derwen College Charity sponsored walk — Carter and mum Pam walked 10km.

A Derwen College student and his family have raised more than £1500 for the college on a sponsored walk around their home village.

Student Carter Gough, who is a Hospitality and Housekeeping student at the specialist Shropshire college, took on the 10km challenge when the college’s charity sponsored walk was cancelled due to the Covid-19 restrictions.

Student Carter, his parents Pam and Lloyd, and his sister Madison decided to honour their commitment to the Derwen College Sponsored Walk by walking 10km around their home village in Worcestershire.

The family took on the walk on April 5th, starting at 11am which was the exact time that the original walk had been due to take place. The family were delighted to raise a phenomenal £1500 for Derwen College Charity.

Pam Gough said: “We had already gathered lots of sponsorship before the walk and before the government lockdown measures were put in place. But we wanted to honour the donations made by our friends and family. Also, the event was on the family calendar, and Carter was adamant it had to happen so we did the walk our way.

“We then posted pictures doing the walk on our Facebook page, and other friends and family decided to sponsor us too, therefore we raised even more money.”

This is Carter’s final year at college, and his friends and family were keen to support the college to show their appreciation of his progress.

“Many of our friends and family are aware of how important Derwen College has been for Carter,” said Mrs Gough.

Derwen College Charity sponsored walk 2020 — Dad Lloyd took a selfie of the family sponsored walk.

“The independence skills and confidence he has gained has been huge. We have gone from a young man who mainly communicated using sign language, pictures and very limited speech to now having conversations. It has been amazing. He is leaving college with real work and life skills, and we know he is capable of working independently.

“For Carter, being able to communicate his thoughts and feelings, and frustrations, has been vital. He can tell us how he feels and what he wants; it has made such a difference to his confidence. That is how much of a game changer Derwen College has been for Carter.”

Thank you to the Gough family

Fundraiser Anna Evans said:

“We are so grateful to Carter and his family for thinking about Derwen College during these very uncertain and worrying times. To have raised this amount for the college is wonderful, and we will be using this donation to boost our Agnes Hunt Village project appeal, which is still ongoing.

“We aim to refurbish and renovate our unique complex of bungalows at Derwen College which provide students just like Carter with the setting to learn how to live independently and to care for themselves. Carter himself has lived in the Agnes Hunt Village, and he knows just how important these facilities are for young adults with SEND. We thank the Gough family for their wonderful support.”

Nest Box Week at Derwen’s Garden Centre

13th February 2020 by Eluned Watson

Derwen College National Nestbox Week — Retail students have created a Derwen Nest Box Week display and a special bird lovers’ hamper.

We’re marking Nest Box Week at Derwen College Garden Centre with shopping, activities and special offers for fans of Britain’s much-loved feathered friends.

There’s something for ornithologists of all ages to do over the school half-term holiday week. Because, at Derwen College Garden Centre Shop, we’re celebrating Nest Box Week from Monday 17^th February to Sunday, 23rd February 2020.

We’re calling on young ‘twitchers’ to enter into the spirit of National Nest Box Week with a bird-spotting competition of our own. So, there will be five metal robins hidden around the shop for you to find. Every person who manages to identify all five will receive a sweet treat. Then all entries will be entered into a prize draw to win a special mini Nest Box Week hamper.

The shop is also offering 10% off the college’s upcycled birdboxes. These birdboxes were created by students as part of their work experience. There’s also a ‘buy one get one free’ offer on bags of bird food. So shoppers can to keep bird feeders and bird tables stocked through until spring.

Bird spotting

Over the winter months, Derwen College staff and students have been filling bird feeders outside the Garden Centre. Because of our effort we have spotted many regular visitors. These include two robins, a couple of plump pigeons, Great Tits, jackdaws and a little Jenny wren.

Garden Centre Shop commercial supervisor Sharon Jones says the team have enjoyed getting to know their winged visitors.

“We have lots to do over the half term week for bird lovers. We’d love shoppers to come and join in the competition, support birds in their own gardens, and spot some of the regular birds who visit the Derwen bird feeders. We even have a huge buzzard who regularly flies over the football field. We think he’s after the moles.”

Derwen College commercial areas provide work placements for students with special educational needs and disabilities. The site offers a Garden Centre and Shop, Garden Café with outdoor play area, Orangery Restaurant and a popular Woodland Walk.

National Nest Box Week is an annual event that takes place every year from the 14th to 21st February. It has been running for over 20 years and is now an important part of the ornithological calendar. St Valentine’s Day was chosen for the start of National Nest Box Week as it’s the traditional date when birds pair up for the new breeding season.

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