Quote: Derwin College provides specialist further eduction for over 230 students in residential and day placements. The college is able to meet the individual and diverse needs of the young people aged between 16 and 25 with a wide range of learning difficulties and associated disabilities. In order to meet the needs of the local community they are developing their provision to include a new site at Walford and North Shropshire College’s Walford campus, Baschurch, near Shrewsbury. They are offering an exciting new course designed around land based activities where young people with learning difficulties who live in or around mid-shrophsire can develop and improve experience and confidence.
Derwen, working in partnership with Walford and North Shropshire College, has been successful in securing ESF funding to facilitate the re-building of an existing site within the Walford campus. Derwen aims to provide a course which prepares young people either to progress to Walford and North Shropshire College’s independndent Living provision at Walford or on to supported employment and supported employment and supported living within the local community.
An opening event was held at the new site, with staff and students hosting together, showing guests around the classrooms and offering sustenance made by the students themselves. In honour of this ceremonial occasion The Mayor of Shrewsbury Mrs Beverly Baker and The High Sheriff were asked by The Chair of Governors , Mrs Kay Kimber, to each plant a Holly Tree in pots, assisted by Kieran and Jonathan, both experienced students in the art of planting. Great efforts and excitement was made by the students who have been much looking forward to their new place of education.
Derwen has a reputation for delivering excellent provision and have been awarded ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted at two consecutive inspections. They have Beacon Status and the Care Quality Commission recognises the college as ‘meeting all the standards required’. It is a wonderful place of opportunity for our disabled young with staff who care absolutely that they benefit as best they can and hopefully at the end of their time will be in a position to apply for jobs in the community. Congratulations to all involved! For further information look at the website: www.deren.ac.uk