Derwen College, in Shropshire, was thrilled to see a phenomenal 23 students and graduates invited to Buckingham Palace to receive their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards last month.
Derwen students enjoy their visit to Buckingham Palace
Special day
A total of 19 Derwen students past and present, with special educational needs and disabilities, attended the May reception hosted by the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward.
Derwen 2022 graduate, Flora, from Surrey, was one of the guests. Flora, who is autistic, had a particularly memorable day where she was treated like royalty.
Her mum, Jennifer, said: “Flora and I had a lovely day, and it was great to see the other Derwen students again and celebrate together. Flora had a small seizure when we were in the front courtyard of the palace as she was too excited.
“We were taken inside the palace till she felt better and then, instead of going back out and round to the garden, we were taken by a footman through the palace and came out the door the king apparently uses. Flora is feeling very special now!”
Flora and mum Jennifer at Buckingham Palace
Four-day expedition
To achieve Gold, students – some of who were supported to achieve their awards after graduating – completed a four-day expedition walking in Snowdonia National Park.
Derwen College DofE Co-ordinator, Steve Evans, said he was incredibly proud to see so many students visiting Buckingham Palace to receive their awards.
He said: “To achieve a Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is an impressive achievement for any young person. I’ve had the privilege of supporting these remarkable students and graduates through their awards, pushing themselves out of their comfort zones to achieve challenges that they and their families didn’t imagine they could achieve.
“It’s no exaggeration to say that these intrepid young men and women have seen blood, sweat and tears along the way. They are all legends!”
Find out more
Find out more about how specialist further education college, Derwen College, supports young people to live the lives they choose at www.derwen.ac.uk
