10 Years, 10 Reasons to Love Working at RNN Group
10 reasons to love working at RNN Group
As the RNN Group celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2026, we’ve been looking back at how we’ve grown as an education provider, supported thousands of learners, and worked alongside many employers across South Yorkshire.
While we’ve evolved as an organisation over the last decade, one thing has never changed: our belief that our people are at the heart of everything we do.
From lecturers and assessors to business support teams, estates colleagues and student services, every member of staff plays a vital role in helping our students succeed.
So, as we celebrate ten years of RNN Group, we’re sharing ten reasons why we’re proud to work here – and why so many colleagues choose to build their careers with us.
1. We’ve grown together
Over the last ten years, RNN Group has continued to grow, bringing together three colleges and two higher education centres under one shared vision.
We now have dedicated T Level centres, a brand-new construction centre, a logistics training warehouse, multiple hair and beauty salons, a commercial restaurant, a gym and fitness centre, and the National Fluid Power Centre. From next academic year, we are also excited to be launching the new Defence Technical Excellence College (DTEC).
That growth has created exciting opportunities for our staff, too: more collaboration, broader career pathways and the chance to work with colleagues across a diverse and ambitious organisation.
Robert Vaughn from our HR team has played a key role in staff development and the growth of RNN Group. He’s created new ways for staff to upskill and develop their talents, such as the leadership management programme, training initiatives and personal development opportunities.
2. We make a difference every day
Education changes lives and every role at RNN Group contributes to that mission. Whether you’re teaching in the classroom, supporting learners behind the scenes or helping our campuses run smoothly, you’ll know that your work has a real impact on individuals, families and communities across South Yorkshire.
Rachel Emberson, a job coach in our Flex department at North Notts College, recently received some glowing feedback from the parents of a learner she has been supporting. In their son’s EHCP review, they commended Rachel for her genuine care towards him and consistently going above and beyond to ensure he has a successful placement.
3. Careers don’t stand still here
Many of our colleagues have developed their careers within RNN Group, taking on new challenges, progressing into leadership roles or expanding their skills through training and professional development.
Lucy Kingston in our marketing team has seen her role evolve over the 20 years she’s been with the company. She initially started as a text production assistant at Rotherham College where she produced learning materials for tutors. Over the years, Lucy has adapted to the mergers with North Notts and Dearne Valley College and is Group website manager where she’s responsible for managing all six of our websites.
4. Learning never stops
As an organisation built around education, we’re passionate about learning – not just for our students, but for our colleagues too.
From continuous professional development and mentoring to free distance learning qualifications and leadership opportunities, we encourage every member of staff to keep developing throughout their career.
Former travel and tourism student Emma White is now a lecturer on our aviation course at Rotherham College after being encouraged to qualify as a teacher. After a career in the aviation industry, Emma returned to education during the pandemic to do the PGCSE at University Centre Rotherham. Initially, she worked in our schools’ liaison team before being offered a teaching position when we launched the new aviation course.
5. Our wellbeing matters
Looking after our people is just as important as supporting our learners.
We know everyone performs at their best when they feel healthy, supported and valued, which is why wellbeing remains a key priority across the Group.
Whether it’s our in-house occupational health and mental health first aid teams, free eye tests, access to the Westfield health scheme and our fitness suites, menopause support, or new initiatives like our staff book club and wellbeing walks, we’re committed to creating a supportive working environment.
6. We enjoy a good work-life balance
You might be an employee here, but you are never just another number. We know that you might also be a parent or grandparent, a carer, and a person who has a life away from work. That’s why we’ve adjusted to a hybrid working pattern with flexible working opportunities and policies that help you balance work and personal commitments.
For our teaching team, we appreciate that many lecturers still work in industry to ensure their own skills are up-to-date. That’s why we make a conscious effort to ensure our timetables are thoughtfully combined into a few longer days so that they still have time to fit teaching in around their roles in industry.
7. Great benefits support great people
Our employee benefits are designed to make a positive difference both inside and outside work.
They include:
- Generous annual leave entitlement including an additional health and wellbeing day plus Christmas shut down period
- Generous workplace pension scheme
- Employee referral bonus of £200
- SmartHive benefits platform
- Financial wellbeing support with investments and savings advice
- Free will writing service
Together, these benefits reflect our commitment to investing in the people who make RNN Group what it is.
Find out more about our full range of staff benefits here.
8. We’re recognised for our success
The RNN Group wouldn’t be what it is without its staff. That’s why we make a conscious effort to celebrate the achievements of our staff through the quarterly Kudos awards, long-service recognition, and annual staff celebration event.
Just this year we have two members of our team celebrating 30 years in employment: Ray from our motor vehicle team at Dearne Valley College and Fred from our North Notts estates management team.
We have also been extremely proud to have two staff members recognised at this year’s Pearson National Teaching Awards. Health and childcare tutor Irene Jarvis was highly commended in the FE Lecturer of the Year category, while Esports lecturer Callum Goulty scooped a bronze award in the same category.
9. We’re part of the bigger picture
Working at RNN Group means being part of something bigger: Helping people unlock opportunities that can change their lives.
As a South Yorkshire organisation, we’re proud of the role we play in supporting local communities, developing skills and helping employers find the talent they need – whether that’s by strengthening links with employers, collaborating with civic partners and other local colleges, or supporting charitable projects.
Our staff members share that commitment and regularly go above and beyond in creating new connections within the region.
Health lecturer Jonathan Green has been instrumental in engaging with the NHS Proud to Care Hub which has secured Dearne Valley College a place on the regional training directory.
While a group of staff from across the Group recently went to the national T Level conference in Manchester to shout about the success of our T Level provision at North Notts, how we’re engaging with employers, and our plans to introduce a new sport T level in 2028.
10. The best is yet to come
Celebrating ten years isn’t just about looking back but looking ahead to the next decade and beyond.
As we enter this next chapter, we’ll continue investing in our people, developing our campuses and creating opportunities for both our colleagues and our learners.
If you want to be part of that, we have a number of current vacancies here at RNN Group.
Whether you’re interested in teaching on our further education or higher education courses, providing business support to our employer partners, or supporting our Group in a management, operations or administrative role, we’d love to hear from you.
See our list of current vacancies here.
To everyone who has been part of our journey over the past ten years, thank you.
Here’s to the next chapter of RNN Group and the people who will help shape it.