Royal Recognition: Duke of Edinburgh Visits Specialist College in Shropshire
Prince Edward's recent tour of a leading special educational needs facility in Shropshire has been celebrated as meaningful recognition of the dedicated work carried out by staff and students alike.
The Duke of Edinburgh spent time at Derwen College in Gobowen near Oswestry on Tuesday, where he engaged with both educators and learners while exploring the campus, including the college's purpose-built Duke of Edinburgh Award Centre.
"Having a royal visitor was truly remarkable," learning support assistant Andrea Hamilton told local media. "It validates the incredible dedication our team shows every day and the comprehensive support they provide to students with additional needs."
Hamilton described her interaction with the prince as genuinely warm, noting that he showed particular interest in the activities students most enjoy participating in during their time at the specialist college.
For sports coordinator Steve Evans, the royal visit carried special significance in relation to the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, which has been a cornerstone of the college's extracurricular program for more than a decade.
"This feels like a royal seal of approval for everything we've achieved with the award program over the past eleven years," Evans explained. The scheme, originally founded by Prince Edward's father, the late Duke of Edinburgh, has been championed by Prince Edward in recent years.
The visit to Derwen College formed part of a broader royal engagement in the Oswestry area, with the Duke also making stops at the community-focused OsNosh cafe and Park Hall Stadium, home of The New Saints Football Club.
Derwen College has earned a reputation as a leading provider of education and vocational training for young people with learning difficulties and disabilities, with the royal visit highlighting the institution's commitment to developing independent living skills and employment opportunities for its students.
