This October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, our College’s Personal Development team and students came together to champion early detection and educate our community and raise vital funds for the charity CoppaFeel. Through creative learning and fundraising the college turned pink in support of a cause that touches so many lives.
Awareness starts with education. Throughout the month the Personal Development team facilitated engaging sessions focused on the importance of regular self-checking and early detection.
Rather than traditional lectures our learners took centre stage doing things like:
By fostering an open and supportive environment, these sessions encourage vital conversations around health, breaking down sigmas and ensuring everyone knows what to look out for.
Our College did a campus-wide fundraising day! Staff and students proudly wore pink to demonstrate solidarity and keep the conversation going throughout the College.
Thanks to the incredible generosity and enthusiasm of our College community, we raised an amazing £260 for CoppaFeel! A national charity dedicated to ensuring breast cancer is diagnosed early and correctly by education young people on the signs and symptoms.
Thank you to our Personal Development team, all staff and students who baked, crafted, wore pink, and participated in these crucial conversations.
Choosing what to do after GCSEs can feel like a big decision. With so many options available, from A-levels and Apprenticeships to college courses, it can be difficult to know which route is right for you. If you enjoy learning practical skills and want to gain experience in a real workplace, T Levels could be worth considering.
At RNN Group, T Levels offer students the opportunity to combine classroom learning with valuable industry experience, helping them prepare for their future careers.
This week is T Level Week so it is a great time to explore what these qualifications involve and how they could open doors to new opportunities.
T Levels are two-year technical qualifications designed in partnership with employers to give young people the knowledge and skills needed in different industries. The ‘T’ stands for technical, and they offer an alternative to A-levels for students who want a more career-focused approach to learning.
One T Level is broadly equivalent in size to three A-levels, meaning students can develop specialist knowledge while working towards their future ambitions.
Unlike qualifications that focus mainly on classroom-based study, T Levels combine lessons with practical projects, assessments and an industry placement. This allows students to understand how their learning applies to real-life situations and what working in their chosen industry might look like.
One of the biggest benefits of a T Level is the opportunity to gain experience in the workplace.
Students complete an industry placement lasting at least 45 days, where they can develop practical skills and experience what it is like to work in a professional environment. This is a chance to learn from experienced staff, build confidence and gain a better understanding of the expectations of employers.
For many students, this experience can be just as valuable as the qualification itself. It can help them discover what they enjoy, identify areas they want to improve and feel more prepared for life after college.
Combining theory with hands-on experience also makes it easier to see how the skills developed in the classroom can be used in a future career.
At RNN Group, T Levels are available across a range of subject areas, giving students the opportunity to explore different interests and career paths.
With such a variety of subjects available, there are opportunities for students with different interests and ambitions. Choosing a subject you enjoy can be a great first step towards finding a career that suits you.
Course availability varies between RNN Group Colleges, so it is worth checking the individual course information before applying.
Completing a T Level does not mean you have to follow just one career path. In fact, these qualifications are designed to give students options for what comes next.
Some learners may choose to move directly into a skilled occupation, using the knowledge and workplace experience they have gained. Others may progress to a higher or degree apprenticeship, allowing them to continue learning while earning a salary.
There is also the opportunity to continue into further study, including higher technical qualifications or higher education.
Having different progression routes available means students can make decisions based on their interests, experiences and long-term goals. It also means that choosing a technical qualification does not close the door on further education.
If you enjoy practical learning, want to develop skills for a particular industry and like the idea of gaining real workplace experience, a T Level could be a good fit.
It is worth thinking about the subjects you enjoy, the careers that interest you and how you prefer to learn. Researching course content and entry requirements can also help you decide whether a T Level matches your plans.
Speaking to college staff, attending open events and asking questions about industry placements can give you a clearer picture of what to expect.
T Level Week is an opportunity to find out more about these qualifications and consider whether they could be the right choice for your future.
Whether you are interested in health, construction, digital, business or another specialist area, T Levels can help you build knowledge, gain practical experience and take steps towards your career ambitions.
To explore the courses available, visit our T Levels webpage and find out more about the opportunities at Rotherham College, North Notts College and Dearne Valley College.
Your future does not have to follow the same path as everyone else’s. With the right course, practical experience and support, you can start building a future that works for you.
Find out what T Levels are available at RNN Group of Colleges.
As the autumn air settles over South Yorkshire and the trees surrounding Manvers Lake turn shades of deep gold and amber, an extraordinary community gathering takes place. The annual Autumn Memory Walk on 18th October brings people together from across the region for a morning dedicated to love, quiet reflection, and shared remembrance.
For our Colleges, supporting the communities we serve extends far beyond our classrooms. That is why standing as one of the sponsors for this deeply moving event fills us with immense pride.
Set against the calm waters and picturesque trails of Manvers Lake, the walk offers a peaceful sanctuary where people of all ages can step away from the noise of daily life. Organised to benefit local healthcare charities, including the Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity and Barnsley Hospital Charity, the event provides a gentle space to honour parents, partners, siblings, children, or dear friends who are no longer with us.
Whether walking the full circuit around the lake or pausing along the route, participants find opportunities to leave personal messages of remembrance and reflect on cherished moments. It provides a comforting atmosphere where stories can be shared with others walking a similar path.
Being a sponsor isn’t just about placing our logo on a banner; it’s about standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our community in moments that matter the most. It reflects our belief that an educational institution should be a pillar of care, empathy, and strength for everyone. To mark the occasion, RNN Group staff and learners came together to laser-cut wooden hearts, giving attendees a place to write heartfelt messages for loved ones, remember those they have lost, or share words of support. We have also created a dedicated plaque to be placed on a tree in honour of the event as a lasting tribute to these shared connections.
Seeing a sea of walkers gather along the lake’s edge, wearing the memory bibs, walking together in silence or shared laughter, and crossing the finish line as one is a profound reminder of the resilience within our local area.
We are honoured to lend our name and heart to the Autumn Memory Walk at Manvers Lake. To everyone taking part, volunteering, or dedicating a step to someone special: We walk with you, we honour those you hold dear, and we could not be prouder to support you on this journey.
This week marks National T Levels Week (19th – 23rd October 2026), and at Dearne Valley College, we couldn’t be more excited to shine a spotlight on technical education!
Now in their 7th year of delivery, T Levels continue to transform post-16 education by bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world industry experience. With nationwide pass rates hitting 92.6% this year and over two-thirds of students achieving a Merit or above, as shown by statistics published by the Department for Education, there has never been a better time to showcase what makes these qualifications so special.
Whether you’re a student weighing up your post-GCSE options, a parent looking for guidance, or a local employer eager to shape tomorrow’s workforce, here is everything you need to know about T Levels and how we’re celebrating this week.
T Levels are dynamic, two-year qualifications taken after GCSEs. Designed in direct collaboration with leading employers, they equip students with the exact skills, knowledge and practical experience top businesses are searching for.
Whether your next step is moving directly into an entry-level skilled career, securing a Higher or Degree Apprenticeship, or progressing to university – including Russell Group institutions – a T Level opens the door.
At Dearne Valley College, T Levels Week is about the celebration of our students’ hard work, our dedicated teaching staff and the incredible regional employers who host our industry placements.
Research shows that around a quarter of T Level students secure employment directly with their placement employer after graduating. According to the Department for Education’s T Level evaluation research, 71% of students agree their course prepared them directly for the workplace – significantly higher than traditional Level 3 routes.
Want to see what studying a T Level is actually like?
Take a look at a ‘Day in the Life’ of a Dearne Valley College T Level student and experience a firsthand look at how our learners balance campus study with real-world industry placements.
A day in the life of a Dearne Valley College T Level student
Ready to take the next step or partner with us?
Happy T Levels Week 2026 from all of us at Dearne Valley College!
Rotherham Day, held last month on 18th September 2026, was a chance for the town to do something it probably doesn’t do often enough: Celebrate itself. There were events and activities taking place across the borough, with businesses, community groups, schools and local organisations all getting involved.
It was a good idea, because Rotherham is one of those places that can sometimes be defined from the outside by things that have gone wrong, rather than by the much more interesting and wonderful story of what is actually happening here.
And if you look around at the moment, there is quite a lot going on that is genuinely positive.
Last week, at the AESSEAL New York Stadium there was a SEND Futures Fair, bringing together young people with special educational needs and disabilities, their families, schools, support organisations and local services. The idea is to help young people think about what comes next, whether that means further education, employment, independent living or simply finding the right support as they move into adulthood.
It isn’t the sort of thing that necessarily makes the national news, but it is exactly the kind of event that makes a difference to people who live here.
Then, over at Kimberworth Library and Neighbourhood Hub, children spent the afternoon making their own space helmets as part of World Space Week. It was free, aimed at children from three upwards, and is the sort of wonderfully simple community activity that libraries are very good at putting on.
It also follows a September that gave the borough plenty to celebrate. The Rotherham Show returned to Clifton Park, bringing its familiar mixture of entertainment, music, food, sport, horticulture and community activities. Heritage Open Days gave people the chance to explore some of the places and stories that have shaped the borough, and then Rotherham Day brought all of that local pride together in a more deliberate way.
What RNN liked about Rotherham Day was that was an opportunity to recognise the people who make the place what it is, from local businesses and voluntary organisations to sports clubs, community groups and residents who quietly get on with making their bit of Rotherham better.
There is a tendency to look for one big thing that tells us a place is doing well. A major development, a new attraction, a big investment announcement. Those things matter, of course, but they aren’t necessarily what makes somewhere feel like a good place to live. Quite often it is the smaller things.
It is the library putting on something that gives children a reason to get out of the house. It is a community organisation helping a young person work out what they want to do next. It is a local business continuing to trade and employ people. It is a sports club giving youngsters somewhere to go. It is people volunteering, organising events, looking after green spaces or simply turning up to support something happening on their doorstep. It was what Children’s Capital of Culture was all about.
And perhaps that is why Rotherham Day was worth having. Not because one particular day can change a town’s fortunes, but because it gave people a reason to stop and notice what is already here.
There is plenty to criticise about Rotherham, as there is anywhere else. But there is also plenty that is worth celebrating, and sometimes you have to make a conscious effort to see it.
So, a few weeks after Rotherham Day, we think it is worth carrying on with the same idea.
So keep looking around you. There are some pretty wonderful things happening in Rotherham.
Work and study require focus, energy, and dedication, but taking time to pause, recharge, and prioritise health is just as vital. This week, our campus transformed into a hub of energy, reflection, and community for Wellbeing Week.
Designed to remind students and staff alike of the importance of self-care, stress relief, and physical and mental health, the week has offered a dynamic balance of high-energy fun, practical workshops, and essential health support.
Wellbeing isn’t just about quiet contemplation; sometimes the best way to release stress is through active play and a great deal of laughter!
Alongside the physical excitement, the week featured a rich lineup of interactive sessions and:
At its core, Wellbeing Week serves as an essential reminder: You cannot pour from an empty cup.
Whether through climbing through the inflatable obstacle course, learning a new mental health strategy, or taking five minutes to laugh with friends, taking care of your mind and body isn’t a luxury- it’s a priority. As the week draws to a close, the hope is that everyone carries these habits, memories, and self-care strategies forward into their everyday lives.
Take a breath, make time to unwind, and always remember to put your health first!
Find out more about health and wellbeing at Dearne Valley College.
There was a time when Dearne Valley College was perhaps best known for being a campus with a little bit of everything.
Today, that description no longer tells the full story.
Over the past few years, Dearne Valley has undergone significant growth and development, evolving its facilities, expanding its curriculum and creating new opportunities for learners across the region.
From a growing animal management provision and specialist health facilities to Esports, sport, protective services and new opportunities for adult learners, the campus has been steadily developing a much stronger identity of its own.
And, perhaps most importantly, it has become a campus where different areas of learning are increasingly working together.
Dearne Valley has always had something distinctive about it.
The campus has around four acres of outdoor space and an indoor animal management suite, with its land-based provision having moved to the site from Dinnington. But over recent years, that specialist provision has become part of a much broader offer.
Today, learners can study across areas including animal and land-based studies, motor vehicle, construction, sport and protective services, health and social care, Esports and inclusive curriculum.
The result is a campus that feels increasingly diverse without losing the practical, vocational character that has always been at its heart.
The development of specialist facilities has played a major role in that transformation.
Learners can now access an Esports gaming suite with high-spec equipment, VR technology and a Williams F1 racing simulator, while the animal management centre provides hands-on experience with a wide range of species.
The campus has also continued to strengthen its health and social care provision, with a purpose-built health suite featuring a simulated operating area, recovery ward, assessment unit, biomedical laboratory and specialist simulation mannequins. The £333,000 facility also includes VR technology to support practical and theory-based learning.
These are very different learning environments, but together they reflect how much the campus has expanded its offer.
The changes at Dearne Valley are not simply about adding new classrooms or updating existing spaces.
They represent a wider investment in giving learners access to environments that reflect the industries they could go on to work in.
In health, learners can practise in realistic clinical environments before entering the workplace.
In Esports, students can develop skills across gaming, events, business, coaching, social media and technology, rather than simply learning how to play games.
In animal management, students gain practical experience working with animals while developing their understanding of welfare, conservation, biology and the wider land-based sector.
And in sport, the introduction of the Momentous Football Academy has created another route for learners to combine education with high-level football development. The programme launched in September 2024 and gives students access to regular coaching, fixtures, performance analysis and UEFA-qualified coaches.
The campus has therefore grown not just in size and facilities, but in the range of experiences it can offer.
One of the most noticeable developments has been the way different curriculum areas are beginning to connect with one another.
Construction learners, for example, have been involved in creating enclosures for the animal management provision, demonstrating how projects can bring together practical skills from different departments.
That collaborative approach reflects the wider direction of the campus.
Rather than each curriculum area operating separately, there is increasing opportunity for learners to benefit from the expertise and facilities available across Dearne Valley.
Technology is also becoming part of that picture.
In animal management, for example, drones can be used to observe animals without interfering with them, helping students develop digital skills alongside their practical knowledge.
It is this combination of technical expertise, practical experience and transferable skills that is helping to shape the next stage of the campus.
The development of Dearne Valley also reflects the changing expectations of further education.
Learners increasingly need opportunities to practise skills in realistic environments before progressing into employment or higher education.
That is why the campus’s newer facilities are designed to replicate aspects of the workplace.
In health, students can practise patient care using sophisticated simulation equipment.
In Esports, learners have access to industry-standard gaming technology and can explore the business and production side of the sector.
In sport, students can train and compete through specialist programmes.
In animal management, learners work directly with animals and develop practical experience in a working environment.
These experiences help make vocational education more tangible. They allow learners to understand not just what they are studying, but where those skills could take them.
The physical development of the campus has been accompanied by an expansion in opportunities.
Higher education provision has continued to grow, with courses available across areas including animal management, Esports, health, sport and public services. The campus now offers learners opportunities to progress beyond Level 3 without necessarily having to leave the local area.
There has also been a growing focus on adult learners and lifelong learning.
Construction, Esports, leadership and management and other vocational areas provide opportunities for adults looking to retrain, gain new qualifications or develop their existing skills.
That matters in an area where access to education and employment opportunities can make a significant difference to individuals, families and the wider community.
The ambition is not simply to produce qualified learners, but people who are ready to progress – with confidence, communication, resilience and the practical skills employers need.
The transformation of Dearne Valley can also be seen beyond the classroom.
Over recent years, the campus has increasingly opened its doors to the local community through events, activities and partnerships.
From pumpkin picking to community festivals and animal experiences, the campus is becoming a place that local people can engage with, rather than simply a place students attend during term time.
Learners have also been involved in projects with organisations including the NHS, Rotherham Hospice and Manvers Lake, giving them opportunities to gain experience while contributing to their local community.
That community focus has continued to grow. In 2025, the campus hosted its first community Easter festival, bringing together animal experiences, Esports demonstrations, activities and local stalls, followed later in the year by a summer festival.
For learners, these experiences provide another way to develop confidence and communication skills while seeing the impact they can have outside college.
Four years can make a significant difference to an education campus.
At Dearne Valley, that change can be seen in the facilities, the curriculum, the partnerships and the experiences available to learners.
What was once a campus searching for a stronger identity now has a distinctive combination of specialist provision: animals and land-based studies alongside health simulation, Esports, sport, construction, motor vehicle and protective services.
The campus has also become part of a wider period of investment across RNN Group which has grown from a £36 million organisation to a £50 million-a-year business, with school-leaver numbers increasing by around 2,000 across the Group. Significant capital investment has included the health training centre at Dearne Valley.
But perhaps the clearest measure of progress is not a single building, qualification or statistic.
It is the growing range of things learners can now experience without leaving the campus.
They can care for animals, train for a career in healthcare, develop Esports skills, work on construction projects, explore sport and protective services, gain higher-level qualifications and take part in community projects.
They can learn in specialist facilities, work alongside other curriculum areas and build the confidence to take their next step.
And that is what the development of Dearne Valley College over the past few years is really about: creating a campus with more opportunities, more connections and a clearer sense of what it can offer its learners and its community.
Year 11 is an important milestone for young people and their families. With GCSEs on the horizon, many parents and carers are beginning to think about what comes next, from choosing the right college and course to understanding the opportunities available after school.
For families across South Yorkshire and North Nottinghamshire, Year 11 Parents’ Information Evenings at Rotherham College, North Notts College and Dearne Valley College offer a valuable opportunity to explore those options, ask questions and help young people make informed decisions about their future in advance of the admission process starting in November.
Whether your child has a clear idea of what they want to do or is still exploring their interests, these events are a great place to start.
Choosing what to do after Year 11 is a big decision, and it is one that young people do not have to make alone.
Parents and carers play an important role in helping their children understand their options, build confidence and find a pathway that suits their interests, strengths and ambitions.
At these information evenings, families can find out more about the opportunities available at college and gain practical information to help support conversations at home in advance of Year 11 learners making an application to one of RNN Group’s Colleges.
From understanding different qualifications and course options to finding out what college life is really like, attending an information evening can help turn uncertainty into a clearer picture of the future.
Book on to North Notts College’s Parents’ Information Evening:
Tuesday 6th October 2026, 5pm–7.30pm
Book on to Rotherham College’s Parents’ Informatoin Evening:
Wednesday 7th October 2026, 5pm–7.30pm
Book on to Dearne Valley College’s Parents’ Information Evening:
Thursday 8th October 2026, 5pm–7.30pm
Presentations are scheduled to run at 5.15pm, 5.45pm, 6.15pm and 6.45pm. These are repeat sessions, so parents and carers only need to attend each presentation that interests them once. Registration is available, and families can also turn up on the evening.
There is no single route that suits every young person. These evenings are an opportunity to explore different possibilities and consider what might work best for your child.
Encourage your young person to be involved in these conversations. Their interests, goals and aspirations should be at the heart of the decision.
To get the most from a Parents’ Information Evening, it can help to prepare a few questions in advance.
Even if your child is not yet sure what they want to do, asking questions and gathering information is a positive first step.
Our Parents’ Information Evenings at Rotherham College, North Notts College and Dearne Valley College are designed to help families feel informed, prepared and confident about the choices ahead.
If you are a parent or carer of a Year 11 student, take the opportunity to find out more, explore the options and start planning the next chapter together.
After next week’s Year 11 Parents Information Evenings, your young person may have RNN Group’s Schools Careers Teams in school assemblies talking about the next steps as well as seeing the team at mock interviews and careers support during the year. You can help your young person by attending these events to find out more in advance of the Open Events in November which we hope parents / carers and Year 11 learners will attend after having these weeks of information support:
Rotherham College – Saturday 14th November, 10-1pm
There is a quiet magic in putting a kettle on. In the UK, offering someone a cup of tea is our universal shorthand for comfort, welcome, and ‘take a seat, let’s chat’. When you pair that brew with a slice of homemade cake and a room full of people, a simple break becomes something far more powerful.
This term, our College hosted a Macmillan Coffee Morning. While the spread of traybakes, sponges, and warm drinks was certainly a draw, the real heart of the morning was something much deeper: Creating a space to pause, open up important conversations, and raise vital funds for a cause that touches almost every family in the country.
Since its humble beginnings in 1990, when a small group gathered for a cuppa and donated the cost of their coffee, Macmillan’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning has grown into one of the UK’s more cherished fundraising traditions. Over the decades, it has raised hundreds of millions of pounds, but its core mission remains personal and precise: ensuring no one has to face cancer alone.
For a college campus, where young adults are shaping their worldview and staff navigate both personal and professional lives, supporting Macmillan isn’t just an abstract charity initiative. It’s a vital lifeline for people right here in our own community.
Beyond the food table, the atmosphere was relaxed and inclusive. Giving people the chance to sit down with classmates or colleagues they might usually only pass by in the corridor.
Every small coin placed in the donation buckets added up, proving that small contributions collectively yield real impact.
While raising money was a primary target, the event’s most valuable outcome was breaking the stigma around talking about illness, grief and health. Cancer can feel like a heavy, intimidation subject, one people often avoid bringing up because they don’t know what to say.
By bringing people together over something as casual as tea and cake, the event lowered the barrier to meaningful conversation.
Although a single £2 donation for a slice of cake might seem modest, but across thousands of events happening in colleges, workplaces, and across the community nationwide, those coins transform into thousands of hours of clinical care and helpline support.
Our College coffee morning proved that community spirit is alive and well on campus! It showed that when we carve out time to sit together, share a drink, and speak openly about the hard stuff, we accomplish two incredible things: we support a life-changing charity, and we build a kinder, more connected community right where we are.
Thank you to everyone who baked, brewed, donated, or simply sat down to listen. Every crumb made a difference.
We raised a total of £205 for Macmillan!
It hits out of nowhere. You’re sitting in a classroom, staring at a slide or a computer screen, and a cold wave of dread washes over you; I’ve made a massive mistake. This course isn’t for me.
First, take a deep breath.
Experiencing the ‘wrong subject’ panic in your first few weeks of college is almost a rite of passage. Transitioning from GCSEs to BTECS, T Levels, and vocational courses is a huge shift, and choosing your options at age 15 or 16 doesn’t always match the reality of sitting in the classroom.
Feeling like you’re on the wrong path doesn’t mean your academic life is over, nor does it mean you’re stuck. Here is how to navigate the panic, figure out your next move, and swap courses.
Before you rush to change things up, figure out what’s actually causing the panic. Is it the subject itself, or the environment?
T Levels and BTECs can hit very differently than GCSEs! Feeling stressed about heavier workloads or weird timetables is totally normal. Give yourself time to adapt before deciding you’re on the wrong path.
If you picked Animal Care expecting endless puppy cuddles, but got hit with biology, enclosure scrubbing, and strict welfare checks… yeah, that’s a classic subject mismatch! If the content really isn’t for you, let’s talk options.
Missing your old school squad? Lost on a massive campus? Have no idea what to do with three empty hours between classes? Talk to our Wellbeing Mentors and Personal Development Teams! You can join campus clubs to fill up those free periods and meet new friends who share the same interests.
The most important thing to know is that we’d rather you be happy with your course, then sit and stick something out that you don’t like. You aren’t locked in, and you don’t have to suffer through a subject you dread just because you picked it months if not a year back.
That’s why we run a dedicated ‘Swap Don’t Drop’ system!
Within your first 6 weeks, if you realise a subject isn’t working for you, you can work with us to look at alternative options and swap you onto a different course. The door is open to find a path you actually enjoy.
You don’t have to figure this out alone, and you certainly don’t need to feel embarrassed. Staff handle course swaps every single term, we want to make sure we find a course for you.
Not sure what to swap to? Pop over to the Careers team! They’ll take a look at your GCSE results, chat through your long-term goals, and help you find a course that actually clicks.
Found a new subject that looks promising? Have a quick catch-up with the department tutors first. They’ll break down the modules and let you know if there’s any quick reading to get you up to speed!
To make sure your ‘Swap Don’t Drop’ transition as seamless as possible, keep these three factors in mind:
Applications are only open until November, so be sure to act before then.
Check that your existing grades meet the criteria for the new course you want to move into.
If a course that you are interested in is delivered at one of our other campuses, we have a student bus service to help with your travel!
Spotting early on that something isn’t working-and taking advantage of the Swap, Don’t Drop window isn’t a failure. It’s a step in taking charge of your own education!
