Derwen College, SY11 (ages 16-25) - Organisations

Derwen College delivers exceptional programmes within a rich learning environment. Students who attend Derwen are aged from 16 to 25 years. For us, there are no ‘typical’ students with so much joy to be found in our differences. Our students have a wide range of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) including:

• Learning and physical disabilities
• Autism
• Behaviours of concern
• Moderate, Severe, Complex or Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (CLD and PMLD)

We offer residential placements at our main campus in Gobowen, near Oswestry in North Shropshire, and also day placements at our Gobowen, Ludlow, Telford and Walford campuses.

We cater for different levels of learning through the following programmes:

• Vocational Pathways. These are delivered through different subject areas at each of our four sites.
• Learning for Life. This is a bespoke programme specially designed for young people who are not quite ready for a customer facing environment. Many of our Learning for Life students transition to their chosen vocational pathway when they are ready.
• Nurture. This programme has been specially developed for students with complex learning disabilities (CLD) and / or profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) and is available at our Gobowen site.
• Supported Internships. Local students, who have completed a vocational pathway, may choose to further develop their skills with our fabulous structured, work-based supported internship programme.

Our highly qualified staff bring a wealth of skills and experience across the whole provision – from teaching and learning, to care and independence support, clinical, and therapies.

More information about each of these options is detailed below. You will also find a wealth of information on our website – derwen.ac.uk – or give us a call on 01691 661234, or email us at admissions@derwen.ac.uk and we will send you a Derwen College prospectus.

Vocational Pathways

Depending on the location, we have the following vocational pathways available.

• Hospitality and Food
• Horticulture
• Performing Arts
• Retail and Enterprise
• Work and Independence

Each pathway has been carefully developed to ensure students are prepared for the workplace. Our accessible learning environments have been specially designed to operate at industry standards. Students gain authentic work experience in our public-facing commercial outlets, including:

• Garden Centre and Gift Shop
• Walled Garden Café
• Station Café
• The Vintage Advantage charity shop
• The Orangery restaurant
• Hotel 751, which is our very own mini hotel, designed and developed in partnership with Premier Inn and Novus Property Solutions!

We are also proud to offer our students a well-established network of high-quality employer partners in the wider community, where they can further develop their work experience skills. These provide tailored and relevant work placements for individual students.

Students may choose to focus on one pathway, or they may choose one main and one secondary – linked – pathway. A linked pathway can offer a diverse yet complementary set of skills.

We work with every student to build a study programme bespoke to them that fits their needs and interests.

Supported Internships

For local students, who have completed their vocational pathway, we offer the opportunity to continue developing those work skills with our supported internship programme. Supported internships focus on work placements, with support to work towards a qualification. Students undertake substantial work placements facilitated by the support of an expert job coach. Along with increased work skills, the programme helps build self-esteem and confidence as well as improving student health and wellbeing.

Not looking for a vocational route?

Learning for Life

Learning for Life is a bespoke programme specially designed to strengthen communication, personal development, interaction, teamwork, problem solving and self-regulation. Students work closely with a chosen vocational pathway to develop their work-ready skills. Many students transition fully to their vocational pathway when they are ready.

The programme is personalised and tailored to meet each young person’s specific needs.

Nurture Programme

Nurture Programme is a bespoke life skills and sensory programme, offering day and residential provision for students with complex learning disabilities (CLD) and / or profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD). It is highly personalised for each student, with a curriculum based around independence, cognition and learning, social interaction and wellbeing, and communication.

It is a pre-vocational programme aimed at supporting young people from school to adult life, maximising positive choice making to increase and enhance quality of life.

What else will your study programme include?

Students learn about budgeting for meals, healthy lifestyle choices, how to shop for food and cook meals as well as exploring the local community, developing road safety and travel skills, and personal and social development and citizenship.

Alongside this, each student will have an individualised programme where they are taught:

• Functional Skills (English, maths and ICT)
• Employability Skills
• Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE)
• Personal care
• Independent Living Skills

These important skills and learning all increase the potential to live independently following graduation from college.

Sport and leisure – there’s lots of additional activities to get involved with

There are a huge variety of sports and leisure activities on offer. Whether students have existing  hobbies or want to try something new, we have an ever-evolving programme, including dance, creative arts, computer and board games, New Age Kurling, football, canoeing – this is just a taste!

Or students can challenge themselves and sign up to our unrivalled Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) programme. We have a licensed DofE centre on our Gobowen campus, and our students achieve and go beyond their expectations at all three levels, with those who have achieved Gold going to Buckingham Palace to receive their awards.

Our social programme plays an important part in helping students build confidence, enjoy their free time, learn new skills, meet new friends and have fun.

Our fabulous facilities include:

• Indoor heated swimming pool
• Sports hall
• Dance studios
• Fully equipped gym
• Sports field
• Woodland walk
• Hydrotherapy pool
• Sensory spaces
• Modern Student Union

Student support

Students have wraparound support from key staff members on their pathway and residences, e.g. Personal Tutor, Key Worker.

Student Council and Learner Voice

Learner Voice at Derwen College is very strong and student views influence everything that we do.

We have a thriving Student Council (SC) and each October, students vote for who they want to represent them on the Student Council. The Student Council is very active across the college and beyond, helping to drive forward change for people with SEND.

Students learn to communicate their likes, dislikes, and thoughts, and how to represent the thoughts of other students to make Derwen College a special place for everyone.

Therapy

Derwen College has a team of highly specialist nurses and therapists who work together as an integrated team. Medical and Therapy support is dependent on individual need.

Our extensive range of therapies, medical and wellbeing support includes:

• Positive Behaviour Support
• Speech and Language therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Clinical psychology
• Physiotherapy
• Learning Disability Nurses

Many of our therapy services are integrated throughout various aspects of college life, including care, work and the social settings, to ensure students’ needs are met. Individual therapy sessions, e.g. hydrotherapy, are also available dependent upon funding.

The nursing and therapy teams assess students who have specific care needs. Support Practitioners work with both parents and professionals to ensure that students have the correct equipment and support at College.

Where students need more specialist interventions, such as support with Gastronomy PEG/JEJ, staff receive full training before the student starts at the College.

Students can join in wellbeing sessions of their choice – such as mindfulness, relaxation, Lego Therapy.

Visit www.derwen.ac.uk to see our virtual tour and begin the Derwen College journey!

Derwen College also offers Short Breaks holiday provision for young adults aged 18 upwards to enjoy a break. Guests can take part in a range of activities and trips, as well as making use of the campus facilities. Short breaks are available year-round apart from two weeks closure at Christmas. Find out more here - https://www.derwen.ac.uk/short-breaks-respite/

When visiting Derwen College’s main campus in Gobowen use entrance C on Whittington Road to register at main reception.

Derwen College's main campus is located in a village setting in Gobowen, near Oswestry, Shropshire, with satellite sites in Telford, Walford, and Ludlow.

Derwen College accepts referrals direct from a young person, their parent or carer, or via supporting professionals. Applications are welcomed from young people across the United Kingdom. Please complete an Admissions Enquiry Form, links to which can be found on the Admissions pages of the website; https://www.derwen.ac.uk/about-derwen/admissions/. Please return completed forms to admissions@derwen.ac.uk.

Derwen College accepts referrals direct from a young person, their parent or carer, or via supporting professionals. Applications are welcomed from young people across the United Kingdom. Please complete an Admissions Enquiry Form, links to which can be found on the Admissions pages of the website; https://www.derwen.ac.uk/about-derwen/admissions/. Please return completed forms to admissions@derwen.ac.uk.