Derwen College


Derwen College is a specialist college situated in Gobowen near Oswestry in Shropshire in the United Kingdom.
Derwen College offers residential and day placements to students aged 16–25 with special educational needs and disabilities, including:
Students at Derwen College are supported to develop employability, social, and independence skills, preparing them for adulthood.
Derwen College's main campus in Gobowen, near Oswestry, and also three smaller campuses across Shropshire at: Ludlow, Telford and Walford.
The College is rated as 'Good' by Ofsted. Derwen College is also rated as 'Good' by CQC.
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Derwen College's History

Derwen College was established in 1927 by Dame Agnes Hunt.
The training College was initially set up in 'a couple of vacant huts in the grounds' of the Orthopaedic Hospital. Here physically disabled young people could learn a trade, suitable to their disability, and become either partially or wholly self-supporting.
A year later, in 1928, the College moved to the property next door to the hospital, The Derwen –'' a Georgian farmhouse.
The College remains at the site in Gobowen, and opened three other campuses at: Walford, near Shrewsbury in 2014, Telford in 2020, and Ludlow in south Shropshire, in 2021.
Derwen College will be celebrating its centenary in 2027.

Visiting Derwen College's Marketplace

Derwen College Marketplace in Gobowen is a unique setting where Derwen College students undertake work placements in a range of customer facing outlets to gain vocational work skills.
By undertaking work placements, students learn key skills through real-life experience.
Work placements enable students to learn essential vocational skills for life including customer service, retail and hospitality skills.
In the latest inspection report, Ofsted said:
Leaders prepare realistic work placements for learners within the college campuses. For example, learners will work in the Garden Café, The Vintage Advantage charity shop, Hotel 751 and the extensive gardens. Learners develop industry-standard skills, which help them to find employment on leaving the college.
This is only possible through your support of Derwen Marketplace.

Awards

Derwen College has received a number of awards including:

2024

Career Development Institute’s award – Best ‘Careers Programme in Post-16 Education’.

2023

Lawn Tennis Association Awards 2023 – Shropshire School of the Year
Skills Competitions Advocate Award in the World Skills UK Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Heroes Awards
Natspec Innovation Award 2023 for Partnerships Working – for partnership with Rocking Horse Media
NASEN Award 2023 – FE Provision of the Year
Oswestry in Bloom Chairs Award for Exceptional Work

2022

The Innovation Award – Charity Retail Awards
Queen’s Award for Enterprise – Promoting Opportunity
Natspec Award 2022 – Pathways into Employment
Aico Awards 2022 – College Initiative of the Year

2021

NASEN Award – Best aged 16–25 provision in the UK.
Awarded TES FE Awards Specialist provider of the year.
Pearson Teaching Awards 2021 – Gold award for Steve Evans in Specialist Teacher of the Year category.