Education Today Education Today Magazine
East Lancashire Learning Group (ELLG) has been ranked the number one further education college group in England in the latest national achievement rate tables (NARTS), reinforcing its position as a high-performing provider across all provision. The Group comprises Nelson and Colne College Group, Accrington and Rossendale College, and Lancashire Adult Learning.
The latest data places ELLG at the top of the national tables for 16-18, adult and overall achievement rates, confirming its consistent strength across provision types and learner cohorts, and highlighting its sustained focus on quality, outcomes and accountability.
The result is particularly significant within the context of a highly scrutinised further education landscape, where achievement rates remain a key accountability measure for providers, inspectors and policymakers alike. ELLG’s performance reflects a strong alignment between curriculum intent, high-quality teaching, and learner outcomes across Lancashire.
ELLG has also ranked number one for both A Level and vocational progress measures. This indicates that learners not only achieve at higher rates, but also make significant progress, outperforming expectations and reflecting the strength of the Group’s curriculum design, evidence-informed pedagogy and teaching practice.
ELLG also remains the only college group in the country to have maintained Ofsted Outstanding status for 20 consecutive years, an exceptional record that continues to set it apart within the sector.
Lisa O’Loughlin CBE, CEO and Principal of East Lancashire Learning Group, said: “We are incredibly proud to be recognised as the number one further education college group in the country. This achievement reflects the dedication, expertise and professionalism of our staff, and the ambition and success of our learners.”
