RNN Group Celebrates 10 Years and 10 Top Achievements!
RNN Group is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year following the merger of Rotherham College and North Notts College in 2016, followed by Dearne Valley College a year later.
RNN Group (made up of campuses including Rotherham College, North Notts College, Dearne Valley College and University Centre Rotherham (UCR)) built in 2018) was part of a shared ambition that colleges in South Yorkshire and North Notts could do more together.
Over the last decade, the RNN Group, leading on innovation and skills in our communities and as an Anchor Institution, has continued to grow to become one of the region’s major education providers and is 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.
Ten key achievements in ten years
1. Established as a major regional education provider
Since forming through the merger of Rotherham College and North Notts College in 2016 (later joined by Dearne Valley College), RNN Group has become a key further and higher education provider in South Yorkshire and North Nottinghamshire, educating thousands of learners annually.
2. Consistent quality ratings and accreditations
The Group has maintained strong quality standards, including being rated Good overall by Ofsted across all inspected areas.
3. National and external recognition
RNN Group has been a finalist in national awards (e.g., the Quality Professionals Awards) and retained prestigious statuses such as Investors in Diversity and Matrix accreditation, reflecting excellence in inclusion, guidance and learner support.
4. Expansion of learner facilities and programmes
In recent years, major facility developments were completed such as new construction centres, digital and VR suites, and specialised T Level facilities – offering industry-standard learning environments.
5. Intercollege competition success
RNN Group students secured overall Gold in 2025 Intercollege Competitions, achieving outstanding results in vocational skills areas including hair/beauty, construction and digital.
6. Growth in Higher Education
The Group increased Higher Education (HE) enrolments through the build of a purpose built HE centre – University Centre Rotherham – and expanded HE offerings with flexible pathways, higher apprenticeships, HNC/HNDs and HN Flex courses despite national trends.
7. Inclusive learner pathways
A new three-year inclusive pathway was launched to support learners with additional needs, improving accessibility and tailored progression alongside the new Project Based Learning courses to support disadvantaged learners.
8. Employer engagement and partnerships
RNN Group built strong relationships with local and regional employers through Employer Academies, awards schemes and collaborative programmes to align learning with real workplace needs.
9. Celebration of learner achievements
Students have won individual awards (e.g., Sheffield Hallam University Inspirational awards) and excelled in external competitions like SkillsBuild and esports events.
10. Strategic vision and community role
RNN Group has articulated and implemented a long-term strategic plan (2025-2030) building on the previous plan which focused on innovation, employer collaboration, community engagement and responsiveness to skills demands.
These achievements show RNN Group’s growth from a regional merger into a dynamic and innovative education and skills organisation – one that drives learner success, employer collaboration, community engagement, quality standards, inclusivity and infrastructure development over its first decade.
Most importantly, we are proud to serve the region, our local communities and our learners of all ages who make our job and work so rewarding. It is because of them that we exist.
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!
We offer a variety of courses, including adult courses, higher education courses and apprenticeships.