NCC – the leading FE College in the country for A Level progress – was already celebrating another outstanding year of results, but revised figures now show an even greater performance by its A Level students after the Government’s decision to accept Centre Assessed Grades, where higher, than results already issued.

Revised figures show the number of students achieving A*-A grades has risen by a huge 12 percentage points to 37%. Those achieving high A*-B grades have risen further still by 14 percentage points to 69%, while the number of A Level students achieving A*-C grades has also increased to 91%.

The college has now gained an ALPS 1 score, as a result of the improved grades, placing it among the best of all UK schools and sixth forms for value added performance. This confirms the high-quality teaching, support, care and guidance that students receive at Nelson and Colne College and it means that A Level students at NCC perform better than those at just about any other school or sixth form in the country when starting with the same GCSE grades on entry.

Revised figures show the number of students achieving A*-A grades has risen by a huge 12 percentage points to 37%. Those achieving high A*-B grades have risen further still by 14 percentage points to 69%, while the number of A Level students achieving A*-C grades has also increased to 91%.

The college has now gained an ALPS 1 score, as a result of the improved grades, placing it among the best of all UK schools and sixth forms for value added performance. This confirms the high-quality teaching, support, care and guidance that students receive at Nelson and Colne College and it means that A Level students at NCC perform better than those at just about any other school or sixth form in the country when starting with the same GCSE grades on entry.

Once again, the College is seeing students progress to some of the top universities in the country, including the University of Oxford, University College London, Durham University, the University of Manchester, the University of Leeds, and the University of York, while other students have successfully gained Apprenticeships and employment.

Bethany Waterhouse, 18, from Trawden, saw both her Biology and Chemistry grades downgraded prior to the U-turn, but she has now been awarded the Centre Assessed Grades of A*A*A in Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics.

A former student at Elmhurst Ballet School in Birmingham, Bethany will switch the chemistry of dance for that of the laboratory as she decided a career in ballet was not her future. She will instead progress on to the University of York to study Chemistry, opening new doors in the science industry.

Bethany said: “I’m much happier with my results now as they are more representative of what I feel I would have achieved had I sat my exams. I was extremely disappointed with Chemistry before the U-turn as that is the subject I am going to study and I was planning to re-sit it to improve my grade before the decision to accept the Centre Assessed Grades was made.”

During her time at College, Bethany was part of a team of three students from Nelson and Colne College who finished third in the Royal Society of Chemistry’s national annual analytical competition in 2019.

Bethany added: “I have enjoyed my time at College because there is a friendly atmosphere, which allows you to develop as a person and narrow your focus onto the university course or career goal which is right for you.

“I would recommend Nelson and Colne College for the excellent student support network and for the staff who are always there to help you. There are also many opportunities available to enhance your studies and enrich your personal statement and CV.”

Assistant Principal for Academic Curriculum at Nelson and Colne College Group Fionnuala Swann said: “I am extremely pleased and grateful that students are now being awarded Centre Assessed Grades. We as a College feel these grades reflect far more accurately the ability of our students and our predictions of what they would have achieved, had they sat their A Level exams in summer.

“It should be highlighted that these updated A Level results are robust results in their own right, and the Centre Assessed Grades have been calculated using rigorous methodology with teacher assessment, and moderation by Heads of Division and the Senior Leadership Team.

“We are exceptionally proud of the Class of 2020, and how they have responded to an unsettling and unprecedented moment in history. We wish them the best of luck as they progress onto their next steps, be it university, an Apprenticeship or employment.”

Nelson and Colne College is one of the leading colleges nationally across a range of academic measures – 16-18 classroom learner achievement, 16-18 Advanced Apprenticeship timely achievement, A Level progress and GCSE Mathematics and English progress. Nelson and Colne College is also the number one college in the country for student satisfaction.

Lancashire Adult Learning is supporting the Red Rose County’s workforce to improve their employment prospects with the offer of free fast-track English and Maths qualifications.

The new offer, beginning in September, provides adult learners aged 19+ in Lancashire to complete Level 1 or Level 2 qualifications in just 10 weeks from the comfort of their own homes.

A range of resources, tutorials and 1:1 support from LAL’s expert team is also available to help learners along the way during the 10-week period of study.

Qualifications in English and Maths are highly sought-after by employers and are often crucial in securing employment and providing a stepping stone into sustainable careers.

Complementing LAL’s new fast-track English and Maths offer are brand new Essential Digital Skills courses available to learners across the county, complete with a qualification where needed.

Also free, these courses will equip adults with the digital skills needed for life, work and study. They are designed to cover key digital areas including communicating, handling information and content, transacting, problem solving and being safe and legal online.

Lancashire Adult Learning has extremely high achievement rates with learners on Functional Skills courses. In the 2018-19 academic year, 97.3% learners achieved their Functional Skills Maths qualification with 95.5% successful in Functional Skills English.

In total, in 2018-19 LAL had over 2,700 adults enrolled on to basic skills courses including English, Maths, ESOL and ICT.

Assistant Principal for Adult Learning, Andy Parkin, said: “I’m delighted that we are able to support adult learners right across Lancashire with our new offer of fast-track English and Maths qualifications, which can boost employment prospects in just 10 weeks.

“At LAL, we are committed to supporting people into sustainable careers and ensuring that our learners reach their full potential, become economically active, and help them to become positive members of the communities that they live in.

“I’m equally pleased we are able to support adult learners with courses in Essential Digital Skills – an integral part of the modern working world, as well as daily life.

“Our dedicated team at LAL has demonstrated flexibility and innovation to bring these new courses to adult learners right across the Red Rose County from September, and we are ready to support them in the new academic year.”

Learners can sign up to the fast track English and Maths courses by visiting the LAL website at www.lal.ac.uk, where they will also be able to find out more and register an interest in the new Essential Digital Skills offer.

Those starting on the English and Maths qualifications will not have already achieved a Level 2 qualification in these areas. An online assessment will also be required prior to beginning the fast-track courses.

Adult learners across Lancashire can also access classes and resources through LAL’s website after the organisation completed a switch to online teaching and learning in April.

Included in the activities offered online through the LAL website are Employability, Volunteering, Health and Wellbeing, Family Learning, Arts and Media, Languages and ICT resources, enabling adult learners to enjoy learning from the comfort of their homes.

Further information about Lancashire Adult Learning can be found at www.lal.ac.uk or by calling 0333 003 1717.

Students from Accrington and Rossendale College are celebrating an outstanding 100% Advanced BTEC pass rate this Results Day 2020.

Despite an unprecedented year amidst the Covid-19 outbreak,Nelson and Colne College Group – which incorporates Accrington and Rossendale College – saw a 100% pass rate for students completing BTEC qualifications, with a staggering 85% of students achieving high grades.

Many are now ready to progress onto some exciting and career-focused destinations, including university, an Apprenticeship or a job. They include Creative Media Production student Luke Moffat who achieved Distinction* and Double Distinction and is progressing to Edge Hill University to study Film and Television Production.

Luke, 17, formerly of Haslingden High School, said: “I would recommend Accrington and Rossendale College as the teaching and support for students is excellent. The qualification shows that I am suited to media, and as I advance through my education, I will be able to specialise in the industry and I hope to one day become a producer.”

Isaac Bradshaw, formerly of The Hollins, has completed his Auto Electrics qualification at Accrington and Rossendale College and has secured employment at ADS Automotive, in Preston.

Isaac, 18, said: “I’ve enjoyed College – I’ve really pushed myself and I have been given great opportunities here. My tutors have been friendly and supportive. I am working towards becoming a confident and knowledgeable technician.”

Centre Principal for Accrington and Rossendale College Morag Davis said: “Congratulations to the Class of 2020 at Accrington and Rossendale College, who are receiving their grades today at the end of an academic year like never before.

“We are seeing students progress onto a wide range of positive destinations, including university, Apprenticeships and employment, and we wish them every success in the future.”

Following a successful merger in 2018, Accrington and Rossendale College is now led by Nelson and Colne College, one of the highest performing colleges in the country. Students attending this College can now expect to receive the same quality that is offered at its sister college – including phenomenal teaching, strong industry links, extensive wraparound support and outstanding facilities, following a £4million redevelopment.

For classroom achievement, at all ages and levels, Accrington and Rossendale College now places in the top five colleges nationally. It is also a top 10 college nationally for student satisfaction, and now sits with its partner Nelson and Colne College as number one in Lancashire for 16-18 Advanced Apprenticeships.