In 1966 Mr Jim Kendall, an Orthopaedic Consultant, returned to the College as Medical Director having previously worked at The Derwen when it was a military hospital.
He was instrumental in moving from the medical model to a further education college focussing on work based training. With work shops in a variety of specialist skills, students learnt trades such as metalwork, woodwork, upholstery, making surgical goods and dressmaking.
Derwen College became a founder member of Natspec, the organisation representing Specialist Colleges across the UK. Mr Jim Kendall was the first chair of Natspec.
A period of rebuilding at the college
Many of the old buildings were replaced and new builds included:
1971 Swimming Pool
1970s Kenyon and Jacson residences
1982 Concert Hall replaced with Student Union building following a fire
1980s Kent House residence, Main Office Suite and Creative Arts