Telford

Derwen College welcomes the first students to its new satellite provision in Telford this term, in a partnership with Telford & Wrekin Council.

The leading specialist further education college, which has its main campus near Oswestry, has opened a new Telford site to support young adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Derwen College has opened the campus for day students at Stafford Park industrial estate, Telford. The launch comes in response to a need for more options in expert vocational training and independence skills learning for young people with SEND in the local authority.

Derwen College, which is has an Ofsted rating of Outstanding, has converted the former business premises into a new site. From here, a team of expert staff will offer day students with SEND the specialist learning and work placement provision that they would expect from a college with an outstanding reputation.

Zoe Wood, Head of Curriculum, said: “We are over the moon to welcome our first day students to the new Telford site this month.

“We have worked with the local authority, the families and young people who will be joining us in September to make the transition a positive experience.

“Our work in providing successful smaller satellite provision at Craven Arms and Baschurch has proved what young adults with SEND can achieve given the right teaching, work experience and independence learning. We look forward to getting to know our new Derwen students over the coming months and supporting them towards achieving their aspirations.”

Councillor Shirley Reynolds, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for Children, Young People, Education and Lifelong Learning, said:

“We have worked with Derwen College to launch this new satellite which will support young people with SEND in developing work and independence skills and work placements which will prepare them for employment and a more independent future.

“Along with the college, we have identified a suitable location, and alongside families been able to select students who we think would benefit most from the experience.

“Our SEND team share Derwen College’s mission to educate, inspire and empower young adults to lead the lives they choose.”

Newly appointed Derwen@Telford Satelllite Lead Lucy Harrison has been liaising with the students who will be starting at the Telford site this month, and is eager for the new term to begin.

She said: “It has already been an amazing journey! I’ve been working closely with Derwen’s head of curriculum Zoe Wood, and we have 11 students ready to go. I have been keeping in contact with them and their families whilst we were getting ready at Telford.

“What we are offering in Telford is not only outstanding, it’s also unique to Telford. This is going to be an amazing opportunity for the area. Within the first year, we will be building on students’ business support skills and preparing them for the world of work.”

Derwen College offers vocational pathways and independence skills for 16-25 year olds with SEND. The college has a main site for residential and day students in Gobowen, and satellite sites for day students at Baschurch, near Shrewsbury, and Craven Arms.