From the 1930s, it provided technical-orientated education from the Howard building on Eastwood Lane, Rotherham.

In 1981, three neighbouring colleges of arts, technology and adult education were merged into one.

On 1 February 2017, Dearne Valley College joined the RNN Group.

Alongside the three colleges, the RNN Group also incorporates an apprenticeship business, RNN Training, and a number of subsidiary companies which cover a range of specialist training sectors.

The RNN Group was criticised by OFSTED, for its poor oversight of subcontractors in 2018.