On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, made a notable visit to Derwen College in Gobowen, Oswestry, located in Shropshire, England. The institution, dedicated to children and young adults with special educational needs and disabilities, welcomed the prince with open arms, offering him a comprehensive tour that included the Duke of Edinburgh Centre, a facility tied to the award program bearing his name. Throughout the day, Prince Edward engaged with staff and students, gaining insight into the college’s impactful work, which has been recognized for over a decade. His itinerary also featured stops at the OsNosh community café and The New Saints Football Club, underscoring his commitment to local initiatives.
The visit brought a wave of pride to Derwen College, where Prince Edward explored firsthand the efforts to empower students through tailored education and practical skills. Learning support assistant Andrea Hamilton called the royal visit an “amazing” honor, emphasizing that it acknowledges the dedication of the staff in supporting their students’ growth. With approximately 1.5 million children in the UK identified as having special educational needs, the Duke’s presence shines a spotlight on institutions like Derwen, which serve as vital resources for inclusive learning and development.
Prince Edward’s trip to Shropshire was more than a ceremonial occasion. It highlighted the college’s 11-year involvement with the Duke of Edinburgh Award, a program initiated by his late father, Prince Philip, to foster leadership and resilience in youth. Beyond the college, his stops in Oswestry reflected a broader mission to celebrate community-driven projects, a role he has embraced since becoming the Duke of Edinburgh in 2023. The day underscored his active support for education and social inclusion across the UK.
A warm welcome at Derwen College
Arriving at Derwen College in the morning, Prince Edward was greeted by an eager team ready to showcase their work. The tour featured a visit to the Duke of Edinburgh Centre, a hub for activities linked to the award program that encourages practical skills and teamwork among youth aged 14 to 24. During his walkthrough, the prince chatted with students about their favorite activities, a conversation Andrea Hamilton described as genuinely engaging and uplifting.
Serving around 250 students with conditions like autism, learning difficulties, and physical disabilities, the college buzzed with excitement during the visit. For the staff, it was a chance to highlight their strides in inclusive education, a field gaining traction in the UK, where 15% of school-aged children have special needs.
Staff efforts earn royal praise
Derwen College staff expressed immense pride in hosting Prince Edward. Andrea Hamilton, who assists students daily, noted that the Duke’s visit validates the hard work invested in fostering independence and confidence among learners. She emphasized that the college is a nurturing ground where students overcome significant challenges, making the royal recognition especially meaningful.
Sports coordinator Steve Evans echoed this sentiment, pointing out that the visit celebrates the college’s 11-year commitment to the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Since its adoption, over 100 students have earned certificates through tasks like physical challenges and community service, a remarkable achievement for a school focused on special needs education.
The power of the Duke of Edinburgh Award
Launched in 1956 by Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh Award has impacted over 8 million young people across 140 countries. At Derwen College, the program is tailored to suit students’ unique abilities, featuring activities such as gardening, cooking, and adapted sports. Prince Edward’s tour of the dedicated centre underscored the success of this adaptation, enabling youth with disabilities to achieve the program’s bronze, silver, and gold levels.
In recent years, student participation in the award at Derwen has risen by 20%, thanks to collaborative efforts between educators and volunteers. Steve Evans sees the Duke’s visit as a boost, encouraging even more students to join and proving their accomplishments resonate far beyond the college walls.
Activities that impressed the Duke
While at Derwen College, Prince Edward explored several standout programs that define the institution. These include:
- Horticulture: Students grow vegetables in a community garden, learning about sustainability.
- Practical cooking: Classes teach basic culinary skills, promoting self-reliance.
- Adapted sports: Activities like soccer and gymnastics are customized for varying abilities.
These initiatives, part of both the college curriculum and the Duke of Edinburgh Award, caught the prince’s attention, who commended the staff’s ingenuity in making them accessible to all.
A busy day in Oswestry
Prince Edward’s Shropshire visit extended beyond Derwen College. He stopped by OsNosh, a community café that employs local youth and reinvests profits into social causes, sampling homemade goods and chatting with workers. Later, he visited The New Saints Football Club at Park Hall Stadium, discussing with players and officials the role of sports in fostering inclusion and youth development.
Each location was chosen to spotlight efforts aligning with the Duke’s values: education, community support, and equal opportunities. In Shropshire, a rural area with roughly 500,000 residents, these projects play a key role in connecting local communities to broader recognition.
Timeline of Prince Edward’s Shropshire visit
The Duke’s activities on March 18, 2025, followed a clear schedule:
- Morning: Arrival at Derwen College and tour of the Duke of Edinburgh Centre.
- Midday: Visit to OsNosh café, engaging with staff and patrons.
- Afternoon: Stop at The New Saints Football Club at Park Hall Stadium.
This itinerary reflects Prince Edward’s dedication to uplifting local efforts, reinforcing his influence as the Duke of Edinburgh.
Prince Edward’s legacy in action
Prince Edward’s visit to Derwen College builds on his ongoing commitment to educational and inclusive causes. Since taking on the Duke of Edinburgh title after Prince Philip’s passing in 2021 and its formal granting in 2023, he has toured the UK to promote the award program and support related institutions. His time in Shropshire could pave the way for increased funding and partnerships, benefiting a region reliant on such initiatives.
The royal visit also boosted Derwen College’s profile, a 45-year-old institution known for its residential and vocational training for special needs youth. With plans to expand in the coming years, the Duke’s endorsement may accelerate these ambitions, enhancing its reach and resources.
Inclusive education takes center stage
Derwen College’s work mirrors a rising focus on inclusive education in the UK. In 2024, the number of children with special education plans rose by 9% from the previous year, reaching over 1.6 million. Places like Derwen are critical in meeting this demand, providing not just academics but also practical training to prepare students for adulthood.
Prince Edward’s visit emphasizes the value of these efforts. For staff like Andrea Hamilton and Steve Evans, it’s a reminder that their impact extends beyond the classroom, touching families and communities across Shropshire and further afield.
