College merger could create £50m group

A proposed college merger would create a £50m group covering the South Yorkshire and North Nottinghamshire areas, it has emerged.

A new partnership between Dearne Valley College and the RNN Group, which currently incorporates Rotherham College and North Notts College, would see the two organisations merge to deliver unrivalled provision in the region, combining their strengths and expertise whilst maintaining their autonomy.

If the deal goes through, the combined colleges could end up working with over 1,000 businesses.

Under the proposals, the Manvers campus will continue as Dearne Valley College, but will become part of a family of organisations supported by the RNN Group, encompassing three further education colleges and five training providers, with a projected annual turnover in excess of £50m.

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

The Further Education sector is currently taking part in a government-led national review, looking at recommendations to create ‘fewer, more resilient colleges’. Whilst the merger between Dearne Valley College and the RNN Group was one of the suggested outcomes of this review, the two institutions had already begun working more closely together, after the Boards of Governors recognised the advantages of operating as a single organisation.

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 industryexperienced 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.”