Welcome to our website...

Derwen College's Aim

Our aim at Derwen College is to nurture, develop and challenge the young people who come to us and equip them with the skills they need for employment and to live as independently as possible.

Derwen's Specialism

Derwen's specialism is teaching through vocational programmes. As a student at our College you won't just train to work, you'll learn in a real work situation.

Opportunities

Maybe you see yourself working in a shop, an office, a cafe, a big catering kitchen, doing estate work, caring for small animals, using your talents in craft, art & design.

Or, perhaps you'd prefer a job in a hotel or conference centre, gardening, floristry or food production, car valeting, or performance.

Derwen offers you the chance to achieve genuine employment skills in all these areas. The general public are our customers and you'll be providing them with services on behalf of the College.

Plus, you'll be progressing towards a nationally recognised qualification!

Personalised Learning

Of course, young people who come to Derwen have a wide range of learning difficulties and disabilities. That's why, if you become a student here, your programme will be designed specially for you.

We'll make sure you get the teaching you need to improve your maths, English, communication and ICT.

We'll challenge you to achieve your potential but we'll provide a safe place for you to live and learn.

Independent living skills will be a big part of your weekly routine. The Personal Development programme will support you in developing confidence and building personal, social and citizenship skills.

We have in-house medical support, physiotherapy and speech and language therapy. There's a range of counselling, pastoral, behavioural and psychological services.

Across College our dedicated, specialist staff will support you to achieve your goals.

We're not the only ones who think we're great!

Derwen College is one of the leading specialist colleges in the country. Ofsted say we're 'Outstanding'. We have Beacon Status and we're a Makaton Centre of Excellence. The Care Quality Commission say we meet all the essential standards of quality and safety they require.

Most importantly, our students say so too;

"I always had lots to do and lots to learn and it will help me in the future. I will miss being here and I will miss the friends I have made and the staff.

I have been free and that has been lovely for me."

Lauren - ex-student