College merger to create education supergroup

TWO colleges are set to merge in a move that would combine their expertise in training and apprenticeships.

A partnership between Dearne Valley College and the RNN Group, which incorporates Rotherham College and North Notts College, has been proposed and the merger process is currently under consultation.

This comes as the further education sector focuses on recommendations to create ‘fewer, more resilient colleges’.

The colleges provide school leavers with college courses and apprenticeships, and progression routes into university-accredited degrees and higher-level courses.

Under the proposals, the Manvers campus will continue as Dearne Valley College. It will become part RNN Group – which consists of three further education colleges and five training providers, with a projected annual turnover of more than £50m.

The organisation will have campuses in Rotherham town centre, Wath-upon-Dearne, Dinnington, Worksop and Retford, and will work with employers across the whole of the Sheffield City Region.

Principal and chief executive at Dearne Valley College, Martin Harrison said: After some in-depth discussions about the opportunities and challenges we may face in the future, we are delighted to put forward a proposal for Dearne Valley College and the RNN Group to merge, offering an even stronger provision of high-quality and effective training, courses and apprenticeships for school leavers, higher education students, adult learners and businesses.

“It will also enable us to invest further in our students with additional resources and facilities. Students who are already enrolled with us at Dearne Valley College would not be affected by the merger, and all existing courses would continue to be taught at our Manvers campus.

Chief executive at the RNN Group, John Connolly added: “By pooling our resources, the knowledge of our industry-experienced staff and employer links, we can offer a breadth of provision to ensure students are reaching their career aspirations and contributing to the economy and local community.

“The proposed merger between two Ofsted ‘Good’ organisations will place us in a strong position for the future.”

 

Click here to sign up to receive our new South West business news...
Close