The principal of a specialist further education college has been invited to Buckingham Palace this month to celebrate receiving a highly prestigious Queen’s Award for Business.
Derwen College, in Gobowen, Shropshire, has been honoured with the top business award endorsed by Her Majesty the Queen. The college, for 16-25 year-olds with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and autism, is one of just eight UK businesses awarded in the ‘Promoting Opportunity’ category.
Derwen College Principal Meryl Green with students Maisy and Ellie
College operates several businesses
The college provides education and vocational training for young people from across the UK. It operates several businesses at its on-site ‘Marketplace’. Students learn work skills in a garden centre and shop, café, restaurant, print shop, charity shop and a small hotel developed in conjunction with Premier Inn. They are then supported to progress to external work placements where appropriate.
The award will be presented to the College by the Queen’s representative, Shropshire Lord Lieutenant Anna Turner, in September. Principal Meryl Green is invited to attend a reception at Buckingham Palace hosted by HRH the Prince of Wales in July.
Student Jodie working in Derwen College’s charity shop
Several awards this year
The college is privileged to have won many awards. Just this year, the college has won the NASEN (National Association for Special Educational Needs) Award for ‘Best aged 16-25 provision in the UK’. It has also won a Natspec Award 2022 for ‘Pathways into Employment’ and an Aico Award for ‘College Initiative of the Year’.
Meryl Green said: “Derwen College is having an exceptional year for awards; for our educational and care provision, and for our business ‘Marketplace’. To receive this very special award, endorsed by the Queen, during her Platinum Jubilee really is the icing on the cake. We are very proud to receive this distinguished award, and would like to thank all our staff, students, families, and the community who support our college, our charity and our Marketplace.”
Student Mary working in Derwen College’s Vintage Advantage shop
Get in touch
Find out more about being a student at Derwen College at www.derwen.ac.uk. Telephone 01691 661234.
