East Lancashire Learning Group Tops National Achievement Rate Tables
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.
In addition to securing the top national position for achievement, 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.
This national recognition is also reflected in the Group’s influence on education policy. Lisa O’Loughlin CBE, CEO and Principal of East Lancashire Learning Group, recently served as a member of the national College Accountability and Reform (CAR) panel and is currently contributing to Alan Milburn’s national review into young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), bringing frontline insight from one of the country’s highest performing college groups into government thinking.
Lisa O’Loughlin 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.
At a time when the further education sector is under increasing scrutiny, this result demonstrates what can be achieved through a relentless focus on quality, high expectations, and strong alignment with the needs of learners, employers and communities.
We are particularly proud that this success is rooted in Lancashire, and that it contributes to wider regional and national priorities around skills, productivity and social mobility.”
This latest recognition further strengthens East Lancashire Learning Group’s reputation as a leading provider within the FE sector, offering a model of sustained excellence in outcomes, quality and system leadership.
For more member news, click here.
