Mr Jim Kendall leads Derwen College into a new era

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.

During this time the College changed its name firstly to ‘Derwen Training College for the Disabled’ before it evolved to its current name of ‘Derwen College’.

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