A SPECIALIST college in Gobowen has won a prestigious award for developing new technology to support students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) into work.

Derwen College, a college for young adults with SEND, has partnered with developers Starfish Labs to create a new collection of iOS and Android-compatible apps to help its students.

The ‘Digital Support Work’ project has won the Innovation Award for Technology from NASEN (National Association for Special Educational Needs) in their 2020 awards.

Principal at Derwen College, Meryl Green, said the apps offer students greater independence which will lead to increased confidence.

She said: “Derwen offers SEND students the teaching, skills and support to achieve employment by equipping them with the digital tools to succeed.

“The apps offer students greater independence which ultimately leads to increased self-confidence and a more independent way of working and living.

“We are very pleased that our continuing work on this unique project has been recognised with a NASEN award.”

The project was part-funded by Marches Local Enterprise Partnership Midlands Engine.

It has brought together a partnership combining digital expertise with expertise in SEND education.

The apps are designed specifically for use by people with special education needs and include apps to help students learn to work in the college’s training hotel and Premier Inn hotels, as well as in a café or shop environment.

There is also a CV Builder app which allows students to create and send their own CV, including video and photographic evidence of their skills.

The idea of the apps is to support students with learning and communication difficulties in developing their training and employment skills

Neil Bevan, director of app developers Starfish Labs, said: “I’m delighted to be part of a project that has won NASEN’s Innovation Award for Technology.

“We’re looking forward to developing the apps further with Derwen College, to take them into other colleges and employers, both in the UK and in exporting British educational tech expertise in overseas markets.”

Professor Adam Boddison, chief executive of NASEN, said: “We are delighted that Derwen College has been awarded Nasen's Innovation Award for Technology and want to recognise their incredible and innovative achievements.

“We want to share our thanks to Derwen College and Starfish Labs. We are proud to spotlight their work and best practice to benefit the education and SEND sectors.”