Celebrating 10 Years of the RNN Group
Ten years ago, two colleges in South Yorkshire and North Nottinghamshire came together with a shared ambition that they could do more together than apart.
The creation of the RNN Group back in 2016 was not just an organisational merger, it was a commitment to reimagine what further education and skills could mean for learners, employers and communities across the region.
Over the last decade, the RNN Group has continued to grow to become one of the region’s major education providers and a cornerstone of our communities where talent is nurtured, employers are supported and futures are shaped.
We’ve brought together people, campuses, systems and cultures that have strengthened our position as a dynamic and innovative education and skills organisation with a clear purpose: to unlock opportunity, drive economic growth and support social mobility across South Yorkshire and North Notts.
Defining our first decade
As we celebrate our tenth anniversary this February, here are ten impacts that define our first decade.
1. A successful regional merger
What began as three separate colleges, Rotherham College, North Notts College and Dearne Valley College, has evolved into a unified, resilient RNN Group with a shared mission and a stronger collective voice across the region.
Rotherham and North Notts Colleges merged on February 1st 2016. Both Colleges had had a long history, with foundations dating back decades. However, the merger was implemented to pool resources in order to achieve financial sustainability, operational efficiency and broader opportunities for learners.
A year later, in February 2017, Dearne Valley College joined the Group.
Since then, the RNN Group has continued to grow to now have five campuses including our specialist higher education facility, University Centre Rotherham, which opened in 2018.
2. Expanding access to education
Thousands of learners from South Yorkshire and North Nottinghamshire have been supported into education, training and meaningful careers.
In total, we educate around 11,000 learners every year, including 1,000 apprentices. Student numbers have consistently grown across all key areas, from school leavers to adults.
Despite declining trends nationally, the RNN Group has seen an increased number of enrolments on higher education (HE) courses. This has been achieved through the purpose-built HE facility at University Centre Rotherham, as well as our expansion into more flexible HE pathways such as HNCs and HNDs, HTQs, HN Flex and higher apprenticeships.
As well as our more formal qualifications, we have also seen significant uptake in our community-based courses which have further widened access to education. The community courses are re-engaging the older generation with learning by encouraging them to learn a new skill and improve their wellbeing in a non-pressurised environment. These now regularly take place at multiple venues across South Yorkshire and North Notts.
3. Investing in modern infrastructure
Over the last decade, we have made substantial investment in campuses, specialist workshops and digital learning spaces that have transformed the learning experience and prepared students for modern workplaces.
In 2018 we opened our £10.5 million HE facility, University Centre Rotherham, to close the skills gap in the town. Located in Rotherham town centre on the site of the former Doncaster Gate Hospital, University Centre Rotherham has increased access to higher level skills, degrees and training for people living in and around Rotherham.
In more recent years, major developments have been completed such as the £4 million construction centre, digital and VR suite at Rotherham College, the £4 million T Level centre at North Notts College, and the £330,000 health suite at Dearne Valley College.
Bolstered by government-backed capital funding, these cutting-edge facilities have breathed new life into the Colleges’ existing spaces and created more up-to-date, industry-standard learning environments for learners.
Last year, we were also proud to officially open our latest project, the new Logistics and Forklift Training Hub in Rotherham – the first of its kind in South Yorkshire. Now that the construction centre has moved from its old location on Rawmarsh Road over to our Rotherham campus, this space has now become a simulated warehouse environment for adult learners to use during their forklift truck training and manual handling courses.
4. Raising quality standards
A sustained focus on teaching excellence, strong governance, and continuous improvement over the last ten years has strengthened our reputation for high-quality education and training.
In 2022, we were rated Good overall by Ofsted across all inspected areas which has opened the door to contracts and bids, as well as growth and development.
We have also been a finalist in national awards including the Quality Professionals Awards, and retained prestigious statuses such as Investors in Diversity and Matrix accreditation, reflecting our excellence in inclusion, guidance and learner support.
5. Celebrating learner success
Through improved teaching, modern facilities and enhanced learner support, more students are completing their studies and progressing to higher education or skilled employment.
We are also proud to continue to celebrate our learners’ achievements, both internally and externally. Every year we host our own apprenticeship awards at our commercial restaurant, The Wharncliffe. We have also been pleased to have built a partnership with the Feoffees who now present two bursary awards to our apprentices annually.
Our students have won individual external awards such as the Sheffield Hallam University Inspirational awards, and excelled in external competitions like SkillsBuild, WorldSkills UK and esports events.
In 2025, RNN Group students secured overall Gold at the Intercollege Competitions, achieving outstanding results in vocational skills areas including hair and beauty, construction and digital.
We continue to encourage our learners to get out of their comfort zone and challenge themselves for both their personal and professional benefit. One of our media make-up graduates, Darcy, is testimony to this.
Her time at North Notts College inspired her to apply for the prestigious London College of Fashion. She now works as a retail manager and pro body painter for MAC Cosmetics.
Darcy says:
“Whether it’s competitions, projects, or exams, your tutors challenge you because they know what you’re capable of, even if you don’t yet. When I started college, I was shy and lacked confidence in my skills.
When I left, I was confident, more outspoken, and fully aware of my capabilities. That transformation prepared me so well for university and everything that followed.”
6. Collaborating with employers
One of our biggest achievements over the last decade has been building long-term partnerships with local and regional employers.
We have established our Employer Academy programme which is continuing to grow. As an employer academy, businesses give their time and knowledge to staff and learners by offer workplace visits, hands-on placements, or guest talks in class. They also work with us to devise the curriculum so that courses reflect real workforce needs and provide clear routes into jobs.
In return, we have many employer award schemes that take place throughout the year, such as our monthly employer spotlight for those who align with our Group’s ethos. We also host an annual awards event for employers with categories to recognise those businesses who have gone above and beyond over the academic year.
South Electrical is one of our employer academies who has worked with RNN Group for 25 years, starting off with North Notts College before the Group was formed. Over the years, they have developed an award-winning apprenticeship programme, with a third of their 100-strong workforce now employed as apprentices.
Director Richard South says of the partnership:
“Apprentices are getting better all the time and some of our best electricians are those who came through the ranks. Our training program is key to our success and brings loyalty, conscientiousness, and continuity. This in turn helps our customers benefit from safe, quality installations delivered efficiently and effectively.”
Read about our apprenticeship scheme for employers.
7. Driving regional skills growth
The RNN Group has played a central role in meeting local skills priorities, supporting key industries and helping businesses across South Yorkshire and North Notts to grow and innovate.
We are proud to be part of the South Yorkshire Institute of Technology (SYIoT), one of 21 national IoTs which offer high quality HE technical qualifications such as HTQs in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) occupations.
We are also part of the South Yorkshire Colleges Partnership alongside seven other further education providers from the Sheffield City Region. Together we’ve developed an aligned curriculum that ensure teaching, skills development and qualifications reflect local and regional priorities.
And our projects such as the new Logistics Hub is a major boost for the Sheffield City Region, helping to close local skills gaps and strengthen the workforce that underpins the area’s growing logistics economy.
For employers, it will create a pipeline of skilled, work-ready talent, helping the local economy remain competitive and resilient.
It will also support the region’s levelling-up ambitions by giving individuals across South Yorkshire access to practical, high-quality training, regardless of background or previous experience, and a direct route into secure, well-paid careers.
Courses for employers/employees.
8. Championing inclusivity and equity
From outreach in local communities to targeted learner support, the RNN Group has worked to ensure that opportunity is available to all – regardless of background.
A new three-year inclusive pathway was launched last year to support learners with additional needs, improving accessibility and tailored progression over the course of three years.
The programme has been developed for students who may face barriers to learning or risk disengagement during the early stages of their college journey, such as learners with SEND or SEMH needs.
It has been designed not only to deliver qualifications but also to focus on personal growth, independence and employability skills.
To make sure the programme succeeds, our staff have received additional training in inclusive teaching and trauma-informed practice, ensuring learners are supported by a knowledgeable and dedicated team.
As well as the three-year pathway, our FLEX department and project based learning programmes have also developed, supporting so many learners each year to gain confidence in their ability.
Joe Barraclough is one of our learners who has benefitted from our inclusive support. He came to us in 2022 from a local SEND school and has progressed from the Horizons programme to a level 2 qualification in catering and hospitality; he is now doing a level 4 higher education course. While with us, Joe also became one of our student ambassadors.
Joe says:
“I had no confidence when I left school and had a number of social and emotional, mental health needs. Rotherham College and the Flex department really helped me to find my feet and were so supportive.
The Horizons programme was amazing and being in Flex and the warm, supportive feel really did allow me to develop confidence both academically and personally too.”
9. Strengthening community engagement
Beyond classrooms and workshops, the RNN Group has been an active civic partner over the last decade, contributing to local projects, charities and initiatives that benefit the wider region.
Since 2017, we have been part of the Rotherham Together Partnership, working with Rotherham Council, the NHS and South Yorkshire Police on how to make Rotherham a place to be proud of. We’ve played a part in various projects, from regeneration plans to social value initiatives.
Throughout 2025, our team and learners have also been involved in Rotherham’s Children’s Capital of Culture year which improved access to creative opportunities for Rotherham’s young people aged 16-25.
10. Valuing and developing our people
None of the Group’s achievements would have been possible without our talented and dedicated staff. Across classrooms, workshops, support services and leadership teams, RNN colleagues have shown resilience, creativity and commitment. They continue to make a real difference to learners, employers and communities every day.
In return, we have developed a strong, values-led culture over the last ten years that empowers staff to innovate, collaborate and deliver high-quality education.
From professional development and leadership pathways to staff wellbeing and collaboration, prioritising professional growth and shared purpose has created an environment where both staff and learners can thrive.
We’re big believers in staff wellbeing and all members of staff receive an extra day each year, on top of their holiday entitlement, to do something for their wellbeing. There are also staff wellbeing days during the year, as well as an annual awards event to show our gratitude for their dedication.
Read about the benefits of working at RNN Group.
Staff are also encouraged to pursue further training courses that will enhance their career.
One of our long-serving marketing team members, Lucy Kingston, did just that and has seen her be promoted from text production assistant to Group websites manager and digital accessibility lead.
Lucy says:
“I feel lucky to work for an organisation that encourages staff to grow your knowledge and develop your skills through courses and training. One course that especially helped me was the HNC in Computing, which gave me the knowledge to take on the role I am in now.”
Looking to the next decade
Ten years on, the RNN Group is not just bigger – it is bolder, more inclusive and more impactful than ever. And our most exciting chapters are still to come.
We have recently launched our strategic plan for 2025-2030 which is focused on innovation, employer collaboration, community engagement and responsiveness to skills demands.
So, if the first ten years were about bringing institutions together, the next decade will be about pushing boundaries even further.
We hope to lead on the skills that will shape the future of South Yorkshire and North Notts, including green technologies, digital innovation, advanced manufacturing, health and care and creative industries.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey over this last decade and we can’t wait to see what opportunities await between now and 2036!