What are the opening hours?

Monday 8:45am - 5pm Tuesday 8:45am - 5pm Wednesday 8:45am - 5pm Thursday 8:45am - 5pm Friday 8:45am - 5pm

Derwen College

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Derwen College

Derwen College is a Shropshire-based day and residential specialist college committed to the education of young people (16–25) with SEND since 1927. Why Derwen?

Located in Oswestry, Ludlow, Telford and Walford. Charity status since 1963. Derwen College delivers exceptional learning programmes for young people aged 16 to 25 years, with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including: learning and physical disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), behaviours of concern, and Profound & Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD). Residential and d

ay students attend our main campus in Gobowen, near Oswestry, Shropshire. We have three other satellite sites across the county in Walford, Telford, and Ludlow, each delivering programmes to day students from the local area. Exceptional pastoral care and student support. Excellent learner outcomes. Wraparound independence development programme. Unrivalled sports, leisure and wellbeing activities. Fantastic spacious, rural location, yet still easily accessible. Derwen College is ‘A Place of Possibility’. We work with our young people to support them to achieve what they want to and challenge them to do more. Our students regularly exceed what they and others thought possible. Your college programme can open up a world of exciting opportunities. Come and have a look!

31/08/2026

We are looking forward to welcoming new students to College next week!

From Tuesday 8 September to Friday 11 September, new students at our Gobowen campus will begin transitioning to College.

New students at our Ludlow and Telford sites will enroll on Wednesday 9 September.

All returning students will start to transition back to College from Monday 14 September (you will receive individual details with exact dates).

We can't wait to see you all!

29/08/2026

In July, we welcomed Ethan from Bauer Creative to our Gobowen campus to film students and staff across a typical day at Derwen College.

Capturing everything from independent living skills to therapies and leisure activities, the video (which you can find pinned on our page) reflects Derwen College’s unique offer, as well as our dedication to helping young people with SEND develop the skills, confidence and independence they need to prepare for adulthood.

Take a look at some behind the scenes content and how the video came together🎬
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27/08/2026

Derwen College will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday, 31 August.

We reopen at 9am on Tuesday 1 September.

Derwen Marketplace is open all weekend, including Monday - please see Derwen Marketplace for details.

25/08/2026

At the start of August, Derwen College student, Dan Parker took part in the Special Olympics National Summer Games.

Teams, from across the country, gathered at the National Basketball Performance Centre in Manchester.

Representing the East Midlands in the Basketball competition, Dan took to the court with energy and enthusiasm, and the team placed fourth in their group. Well done Dan – and all of the East Midlands team!

Olympics Great Britain

23/08/2026

Derwen College offers residential and day placements to students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), who are aged 16–25.

We offer students with a range of needs including learning and physical disabilities, autism and behaviours of concern, a university-style experience.

At our unique campuses students learn employment, wellbeing and independence skills which helps them to prepare for adulthood.

21/08/2026

We were delighted to welcome former student Steven back to College during the summer holidays, when he visited us with his sister Ruth.

There were no students around as it was the summer holidays, and some of the residences were in the midst of a refurb, but he still enjoyed his guided tour.

A lot has changed since Steven left us 30 years ago, but there were a few familiar faces to spot. He was pleased to catch up with staff members Receptionist Alison and Nursery and Production Manager Paul, as well as former employee Dawn, who now volunteers at College.

Steven took a trip down memory lane, visiting the residence and bungalow where he used to live, the garages where he once worked. He even bumped into former student friends Andrew Smart and Alan Crowther, who are college clients and were volunteering in the garden centre shop.

It was wonderful to see Steven again and hear his memories of Derwen College. Thirty years on, Steven is still very much part of the our story.

We are currently compiling stories of Derwen College to celebrate our centenary next year. Please get in touch if you'd like to share your fond memories by emailing [email protected]

19/08/2026

Derwen College offers day and residential provision for students aged 16 to 25 who have special educational needs and disabilities.

Through our unique university-style experience, students build the confidence, independence, and employability skills they need to prepare for adulthood.

From September, we will be attending transition events across the UK, offering families the chance to find out more about how Derwen College can support their young person's next steps.

To learn more about the transition events we’ll be attending this year, visit: www.derwen.ac.uk/transition-events.

17/08/2026

Sleep really matters! 💤

We’re delighted that our Occupational Therapist Lynsey Coyle, who led our pioneering work on sleep hygiene, was asked to write a blog for the Association of Colleges.

We believe sleep plays a vital role in wellbeing, mental health, learning and employability. That’s why we made sleep a key part of our college-wide Wellbeing Strategy – an initiative that went on to be recognised with a prestigious AoC Beacon Award.

When we began our work, we were surprised by how little research there was exploring the impact of sleep, particularly for young people with special educational needs and autism.

Thank you to the Association of Colleges for giving Lynsey the opportunity to share our work and contribute to this important conversation. 👏

https://www.aoc.co.uk/news-campaigns-parliament/news-views/aoc-blogs/why-sleep-matters-how-derwen-college-is-pioneering-better-rest-for-learners-with-send

15/08/2026

⚽ What an adventure! Seven Derwen College students have returned from Houston, Texas, with medals, memories and a trophy after representing Wrexham AFC at the Genuine Cup.

Jonathan, Lydia, Ollie, Kyle, George, Cai and Toby joined the Red Dragons squad for the international football tournament for athletes with SEND and autism, held at Rice University.

The team played sides from across the world and finished top of their group to become cup winners! 🏆

The trip was about so much more than football, with students also visiting NASA, enjoying a rodeo, exploring museums and making lifelong memories.

A huge well done to everyone involved – what fantastic ambassadors for Derwen College, Wrexham AFC and Wales. 👏⚽

14/08/2026

Heart of England in Bloom judges visited Oswestry on a beautiful sunny day at the end of July to see the stunning flower beds, planting and community spirit.

Derwen College Nursery and Production Manager Paul Moss and his right-hand man Anton Berry joined volunteers, sponsors and staff who have worked together to make Oswestry a floral spectacle at the town’s beautiful Cae Glas Park.

Paul, Anton and Derwen College Horticulture students were involved with beautiful displays which bring brightness and joy to local residents and provide food for pollinators.

They were joined by Town Clerk Arren Roberts, Oswestry in Bloom volunteers Natalie Bainbridge and Olly Rose, and town clerk Louise Humphreys to meet with judges.

Address

Whittington Road, Gobowen
Oswestry
SY113JA

Opening Hours

Monday	8:45am - 5pm
Tuesday	8:45am - 5pm
Wednesday	8:45am - 5pm
Thursday	8:45am - 5pm
Friday	8:45am - 5pm

Telephone

+441691661234

Website

https://www.derwen.ac.uk/links/

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