Derwen College

17/06/2026

This Saturday (20 June), music lovers, families, and festival-goers are invited to celebrate the summer solstice at Quinta Solstice Music Festival, Weston Rhyn, while raising money for Derwen College.

An exciting line-up of local, and not so local, bands and musicians to entertain you through the afternoon and evening, followed by DJ sets through the night.

Arrival from midday, music starts at 2pm. Sunrise is 4.24am on Sunday 21 June.

Music, food, licenced bar (or byo), kids entertainment includes small fairground rides.

Free parking.

Tickets £20 (camping inclusive). Children aged 13 and under are free.

Book your tickets online until 1pm Thursday at: https://derwen.me/quinta-2026 otherwise you will be able to purchase them on the gate on Saturday.

16/06/2026

15/06/2026

We are delighted that Kathleen “K” Kimber, our former Chair of Trustees at Derwen College, has been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List for services to education.

The honour recognises K’s outstanding contribution to improving opportunities for young people across the further education sector, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), both at Derwen College and more widely.

K has worked in further education throughout her career, latterly as a Principal. She joined Derwen College as a trustee in 2005 before being elected Chair of the Board in 2012. K stepped down as Chair in July 2025 but remains a valued governor. She has played a key role in leading the Board and working with the Senior Leadership Team of the College in expanding and developing first-class further education provision for students with SEND, which supports them to meet their aspirations.

Commenting on the award, K Kimber said: “I have been privileged and fortunate to work with students for nearly 60 years. They never fail to challenge and amaze. The wonderful thing about further education is that our emphasis is on working with each person as a valued individual and devising programmes to stretch and develop them.”

Many congratulations K!

Read more on the news section of our website.

13/06/2026

Today's the day!

Come along to Derwen Fete & Dog Show, from 10am to 4pm.

11/06/2026

On this day 74 years ago, 11 June 1952, Marina, Duchess of Kent, visited Derwen College to lay the Foundation Stone of the memorial to College founder Dame Agnes Hunt.

The memorial is in fact the Agnes Hunt Village bungalows which are still in use by Derwen College students.

You can find out more about our history and archives, and also offer you own stories, pictures and memorabilia when you visit Derwen Fete & Dog Show on Saturday. We will be sharing more of our archives as we head towards our centenary in 2027.

11/06/2026

Derwen College's annual Fete and Dog Show opens at 10am this Saturday (13 June)!

The FREE event takes place at Derwen College’s Gobowen campus near Oswestry, and provides a community day of family fun while raising funds for Derwen Charity.

All our Marketplace outlets will be open, and Derwen College staff will be running additional market stalls, activities and entertainment. A lovely selection of local craft and produce stallholders will also be on-site for the day.

Our annual Dog Show will be taking place, with different class competitions throughout the day. And we also have youth and adult arts and crafts competitions which you can enter.

Additionally our annual events, the Grand Raffle and our Duck Race will also be happening - it's going to be a busy day!

You can find out much more about our Fete & Dog Show on our website - we hope you will be able to come along and join us.

07/06/2026

**We have a few spaces available on our Level 1 Makaton workshop beginning on Wednesday next week**

Led by one of our experienced Makaton tutors, these fun and interactive face-to-face workshops are ideal for anyone looking to develop practical communication skills.

You’ll learn key Makaton techniques to help support children and adults with learning or communication difficulties.

**Level 1 workshop (two sessions)**
📅 Dates: Wednesday 10 and Wednesday 17 June (N.B: You will need to attend both weeks to complete the workshop).
⏰ Time: 5.30pm–8.30pm

💷 Cost: £85 per person
📍 Location: Derwen College, Gobowen

To book or find out more:
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Visit: www.derwen.ac.uk/learn-makaton

05/06/2026

It’s National Volunteer Week – the perfect time to say a huge thank you to all our volunteers.

From the volunteers who regularly give their time in our Marketplace shops, around the College grounds and at events, to the businesses that join us for corporate volunteer days, every contribution helps support Derwen College and Charity. So, a big thank you to you all!

Volunteers help us keep our spaces looking their best, our shops and events running smoothly, and enable us to create valuable opportunities for students to build confidence, independence and work-related skills.

Volunteering can also be incredibly rewarding – offering the chance to share skills, meet new people and see the difference your time can make.

Corporate volunteer days can be just as rewarding, giving teams the chance to work together, give back to the community and see the impact of their time first-hand.

If your business would like to get involved through a corporate volunteer day, or if you are interested in volunteering regularly as an individual, we’d love to hear from you. We’re holding a Volunteer Open Day on 12 August.

To find out more, please contact Events and Volunteer Coordinator Serena Young at [email protected].

03/06/2026

On Saturday 20 June, music lovers, families, and festival-goers are invited to celebrate the summer solstice at Quinta Solstice Music Festival, Weston Rhyn, while raising money for Derwen College.

An exciting line-up of local, and not so local, bands and musicians to entertain you through the afternoon and evening, followed by DJ sets through the night.

Arrival from midday, music starts at 2pm. Sunrise is 4.24am on Sunday 21 June.

Music, food, licenced bar (or byo), kids entertainment.

Free parking.

Tickets £20 (camping inclusive). Children aged 13 and under are free.

Book your tickets now at: https://derwen.me/quinta-2026

01/06/2026

We’re delighted to shine a spotlight on Jane Liddiatt of Pyjama Drama, Shrewsbury, Oswestry and North Shropshire, as our Employer of the Month.

Jane hosts Performing Arts student Mia for a weekly work experience placement at Pyjama Drama – an educational programme that provides interactive drama, music, and movement classes for children aged six months to seven years.

It focuses on developing key life skills – such as creativity, confidence, empathy, and conflict resolution – through imaginative, prop-free play rather than performance training.

Jane felt that the work she does with children would be an ideal work placement for a Performing Arts student.

Jane said “Mia has been coming to Pyjama Drama since September, and I can see her confidence growing each week. She’s using Makaton for our singing sessions, and I'm really enjoying learning some signs with her.”

She went on to say, “I would recommend other businesses to host and work with a student from Derwen College. It's bringing great joy to see Mia’s confidence grow over the last few months.

"I have also enjoyed expanding my knowledge to understand the needs of the individuals I am working with. I have enjoyed visiting Derwen College to meet the Performing Arts students and also attended the employer Lunch and Learn session.”

If you would like to offer a work placement to a Derwen College student, please get in touch with Natalie Martin, Work Experience and Supported Internship Coordinator 01691 661234.