East Lancashire Learning Group, Nelson
East Lancashire Learning Group is a post-16 school for pupils aged 16 to 99 in Nelson. It was rated Outstanding at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in December 2024.
- Ofsted
- Outstanding (2024)
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
East Lancashire Learning Group in detail
East Lancashire Learning Group in its own words
In its own words: "At East Lancashire Learning Group (ELLG), our purpose is to drive opportunity, ambition, and growth through education. We exist to ensure that every learner, regardless of their background, can access the skills, knowledge, and experiences that will unlock their potential and create meaningful futures. Our role is both immediate and long term."
Vision and values (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Where pupils go next
Of the 1175 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 31% went on to university or other higher education, 6% to apprenticeships and 22% into work. 7% went to one of the most selective third of universities.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Nelson Rail Station, about 1110 metres away (roughly a 14-minute walk).
7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Surrey Road (opposite), 80 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood East Lancashire Learning Group stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
In August 2026, police recorded 269 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Lancashire (109), as is usual near a town centre.
Sources: DfE destination measures; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Safeguarding: effective
Contribution to meeting skills needs: Strong
Source: Ofsted, further education and skills inspections and outcomes (Open Government Licence)
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's December 2024 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
The college creates a supportive 'big family' environment where learners grow academically and socially while preparing for careers. Teachers use excellent teaching strategies with clear explanations, and learners benefit from well-planned work experience including European placements. Adult learners achieve their goals and become more active citizens, while young people on T Levels gain highly relevant practical experience such as hospital placements.
Key Strengths
- Outstanding quality of education with highly ambitious curriculums designed to build knowledge and skills over time
- Exceptional careers advice and guidance from first contact through one-to-one sessions with qualified advisers
- Excellent support for care-experienced learners with tailored plans including financial support
- Strong employer partnerships and curriculum links to meet local and regional skills needs
- Outstanding provision for learners with high needs including community work and volunteer opportunities
Areas for Improvement
- Apprenticeships programme rated as Good rather than Outstanding - needs improvement to match other provision
Safeguarding
Effective safeguarding - learners feel safe, know how to report concerns, and receive education on keeping safe from radicalisation, extremism, healthy relationships, and sexual harassment.
Extracurricular Activities
Latin club, law and medicine preparation, apprenticeship competitions, book club, community garden work, bingo sessions, archery, poetry, female-only sports, crochet, European work experience placements in Germany Italy and Malta, supported internships, steps to success programme
Nelson and Colne College Group is a further education provider formed in 2018 from a merger, operating two main sites in Lancashire with over 2,300 young people and 3,400 adult learners across academic, vocational, and apprenticeship programmes.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Special Measures
Sixth Form Performance (A-Level)
A-Level Results
C+
Average grade
34.8
Points per entry
C+
Best 3 A-Levels
11%
Achieving AAB+
Above average
Value added
199
A-Level students
90%
Retention rate
2024/25 academic year
A-Level Subjects Offered
+ 5 more subjects
2024/25 academic year - entries by number of students
After A-Levels - Leaver Destinations
After A-Levels (Year 13) - 1,175 students
2023/24 data
University & Higher Education Destinations
7%
Top-third university
62%
Degree course
66%
Any L4+ destination
2%
Apprenticeships
Based on 707 students completing 16-18 study
2022/23 cohort - "Top-third" = most selective third of UK universities by student intake
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 1 nearby school
Latest from East Lancashire Learning Group
If we are serious about tackling the NEET crisis, we need to talk about English and Maths
21 Aug 2026
1 in 3 A Level Students Secure A*-A Grade at the Number 1 College in the country
13 Aug 2026
£3.3 million Government investment to help build the next generation of construction workers
29 Jul 2026
East Lancashire Learning Group honours outstanding students at annual Student Awards
21 Jul 2026
Alan Millburn’s national review warns youth inactivity could rise sharply without urgent action
28 May 2026
East Lancashire Learning Group leads national trial to transform futures of GCSE English resit students
13 Apr 2026
From East Lancashire Learning Group's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Social & online
Keep up with East Lancashire Learning Group
Getting There
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 29
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 8
- Children hurt
- 6
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 29 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 8 serious and 21 slight.
6 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 3 on foot and 3 in a vehicle or otherwise.
5 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Lancashire is 12 (the median across 707 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
Area Demand Pressure - Nelson
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Nelson
Across Lancashire council
Places available
14,702
Applications
13,782
Got 1st preference
87.1%
Got preferred school
97.2%
All secondary applications across Lancashire council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(7)
Questions parents ask about East Lancashire Learning Group
What is East Lancashire Learning Group's Ofsted rating?
East Lancashire Learning Group was rated Outstanding at its most recent Ofsted inspection in December 2024.
What is the catchment area for East Lancashire Learning Group?
No fixed boundary. When East Lancashire Learning Group is oversubscribed, Lancashire allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
How do I apply to East Lancashire Learning Group?
Apply through Lancashire's coordinated admissions process, naming East Lancashire Learning Group on your application. The national closing date in England is 31 October for secondary places and 15 January for primary places, in the year before your child starts.
How many road collisions happen near East Lancashire Learning Group?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 29 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 8 serious and 21 slight. 6 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 3 on foot and 3 in a vehicle or otherwise. 5 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Lancashire is 12 (the median across 707 schools, same distance and years).
Where is East Lancashire Learning Group?
East Lancashire Learning Group is at Scotland Road, Nelson, Lancashire, BB9 7YT.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)