Gifts of opportunity: How partnerships enrich learning all year round
In education, the season of giving offers a special reminder that some of the greatest gifts are not always wrapped in shiny paper or found under the tree.
They come from the partnerships that strengthen our community and open doors for our learners.
At RNN Group, one of our core values is that education is a team effort. When local businesses, civic organisations, and fellow education providers come together, they create opportunities that allow learners to thrive in ways no single organisation could achieve alone.
So, as the year draws to a close and the festive season begins, we want to reflect on the partnerships that have shaped the past twelve months here at RNN Group.
Our partnerships
These partnerships are the gifts that keep on giving long after December has passed, enriching lives, building confidence, and widening horizons.
The gift of career pathways – Local business partnerships
At RNN Group, we work with a growing number of local employers who provide learners with invaluable experiences that bridge the gap between education and employment.
Our Employer Academies continue to grow and thrive, with new academies coming on board this year including Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber.
As an employer academy, businesses generously share their time, knowledge, and enthusiasm and, in doing so, they give learners the gift of possibility. Whether it’s offering a workplace visit, a hands-on placement, being a guest speaker, or hiring an apprentice, each interaction offers a glimpse into real-world industries.
These opportunities help learners to understand local career pathways, gain practical skills and confidence, build relationships with professionals in their field, and connect their learning to future ambitions.
In return, we give back to our employer and business partners via our employer awards programme.
Every month, we celebrate an employer partner who has shown great commitment towards the RNN Group and our values – whether that’s having integrity, being inclusive, delivering on their promise, or being part of the team. As well as presenting them with a certificate, we invite them to an employer of the month lunch our commercial restaurant, The Wharncliffe.
Then once a year we host our big employer awards ceremony with prizes to recognise those employer partners who have gone above and beyond over the academic year.
Our employer partners also get access to our free business breakfast meetings, forums, webinars, as well as support with any commercial training needs they may have.
The gift of community – Civic organisation partnerships
Some of the most meaningful opportunities our learners receive come from the partnerships we build beyond the classroom.
Our relationship with civic organisations like local councils, charities and public services reflect our commitment not just to education, but to the wider wellbeing, safety, and growth of our communities.
These civic partnerships offer learners the gift of belonging and purpose. They create spaces where our young people can contribute to real projects, see the difference their actions make, and understand the roles and responsibilities that come with being part of a thriving community.
They learn that community is something we build together and that they have a role to play in it. And in turn, we play our part in strengthening the fabric of the place we all call home.
This year, the RNN Group has continued to deepen and broaden its civic connections, working alongside organisations in South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw who share our belief that strong communities are built through collaboration, care, and shared purpose.
We are part of the Rotherham Together Partnership, working with Rotherham Council, the NHS and South Yorkshire Police on how to improve lives in Rotherham – whether that’s through regeneration plans, community initiatives, or long-term strategies to support residents into skills, employment, and improved career opportunities.
We have also been involved in Rotherham’s Children’s Capital of Culture year, helping promote creative opportunities available for young people aged 16-25 in the town. With roots as an arts college, and a host of creative courses on offer for our students, this has been such a joy to be involved in.
A new connection we’ve recently built is with our neighbours over at Rotherham Markets, particularly as it continues to undergo huge development works to become a cultural and social hub in the town. As well as encouraging our learners to use the market, we hope to strengthen links for them by creating pathways into enterprise and entrepreneurship. The markets team have also offered an opportunity to showcase student creativity by displaying their artwork within the market.
Throughout the year we have also continued to support various charities, including sponsoring Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity’s Autumn Memory Walk at Manvers Lake.
This year we have formed a new partnership with Weston Park Cancer Charity as part of their Together Every Step programme. Our learners will now have more meaningful volunteering, fundraising and awareness opportunities throughout the academic year.
And we are also gratefully supported by Rotherham’s oldest charity, The Feoffees of the Common Lands of Rotherham, who generously give bursaries to two RNN apprentices each year. Along with an award for a level 3 apprentice, last December they launched a new award for a higher level apprentice, showing our combined commitment to levelling up skills for Rotherham people.
The gift of collaboration – Working with other education providers
This spirit of collaboration forms the foundation of a thriving education community, one that empowers learners to aim higher, explore more, and step confidently into their futures.
That’s why we’re proud to partner with other schools, colleges, universities, and specialist training providers who share our commitment to creating clear, ambitious, and achievable learning journeys.
By working together, we create learning environments where no learner feels stuck, lost, or alone. Shared programmes, transition support, and collaborative events give learners confidence at every stage. Collaboration becomes the gift of continuity and connection.
Through our work with other providers, we are able to share resources and funding, offer clear progression routes, and aim for a seamless learning journey from one stage to the next.
We have a growing Schools Partnership Programme, whereby local schools across South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw can sign up to ensure their pupils get a guaranteed place at one of our Colleges. Alongside this, we offer our partner schools VIP campus tours, bespoke taster days, and priority support on GCSE results day. This partnership help learners feel supported and informed about their future options.
We are also part of the South Yorkshire Colleges Partnership alongside seven other further education providers from the Sheffield City Region. We have developed an aligned curriculum, working together to ensure that teaching, skills development, and qualifications reflect local and regional priorities, giving learners the most relevant and future-focused experience possible.
The current cohort of college groups involved in the South Yorkshire Colleges Partnership include Barnsley College, The Sheffield College, Chesterfield College, Northern College, and DN College Group.
One of the most exciting developments to come off the back of this partnership is the launch of the South Yorkshire Institute of Technology (SYIoT). This is one of 21 national IoTs, all of which offer high quality HE technical qualifications such as HTQs in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) occupations.
Alongside ourselves, the SYIoT’s education partners are DN Colleges Group, Sheffield Hallam University, Barnsley College, The University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre, and The Sheffield College.
The SYIoT offers courses ranging from level 3 T Levels up to level 6 degrees, but our core focus is on level 4 and 5 qualifications such as HTQs and higher apprenticeships.
One of the unique advantages of studying at SYIoT is that students get to work closely with our employer partners such as AESSEAL® PLC, HLM Architects, and Pendo. Learners also get hands-on experience with the latest technology in state-of-the-art facilities at the individual colleges and universities involved in SYIoT.
Carrying the spirit of giving into the New Year
As we celebrate the season, we extend our gratitude to all our partners who make these gifts of opportunity possible. The generosity, expertise, and shared passion for supporting learners have shaped the successes of this year and will continue to light the way into the next.
Together, we look forward to unwrapping even more opportunities – new partnerships, new ideas, and new journeys for our learners.
From all of us at RNN Group, thank you for being part of our community.