A college group in East Lancashire has been deemed the second-best college group in the country by the national government.

Nelson and Colne College Group was given the classification from the Government’s National Achievement Rate Tables, which measure colleges on students successfully passing their course.

The college has also been rated the 'nation’s best' at delivering adult learning, and the only outstanding college in the county by Ofsted.

This recognition covers all aspects of the college's teaching in the borough, from A Levels to apprenticeships.

Last year, 24 A Level subjects achieved a 100 per cent pass rate, with 83 per cent of A Level learners progressing to university, 29 per cent higher than the national average.

Jamaal Saiid, a Biology, Physics and Chemistry A Level student who hopes to study Medicine at Cambridge, said: “A Levels are not just about the pen and the paper; they are the classroom environment around you and at Nelson and Colne College you feel like you are learning with family.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

He has also seen the value of volunteering and had a mural painted of him after having been named a Premier League ‘Community Champion’ for his work teaching young children as part of the Premier League’s 'Kicks' programme with Burnley Football Club.

Chloe Stott, a student studying A Levels in English Language, English Literature and Media, has been entered for one of the College Group’s inaugural Student Awards in June.

Her Nelson and Colne College-based nominator said: “Chloe is by far the most prolific user of the College library.

"She has read 94 non-fiction and fiction books that she has borrowed since the start of this year, with most being classic literature and books on scientific topics.

"This is on top of books she reads that she gets from elsewhere!”

The College Group also pioneers new qualifications, including 'T-Levels', which are advanced level courses for technical education students and involve local businesses in the process of creating the curriculum.

The College Group currently boasts a 100 per cent T Level pass rate.

Lisa O’Loughlin, principal and chief executive of Nelson and Colne College Group concluded: “It must be a huge reassurance to parents, businesses, and students to know that we are providing some of the best learning in the entire country on their doorstep.

"At our group we foster the following ethos and encourage learners to adopt it, too: 'Don’t accept the ordinary – be extraordinary'!”