East Lancashire Learning Group has been awarded funding to become a founding member of the Education Endowment Foundation’s (EEF) new Evidence Partnership for the 16–19 sector, it was announced today.

As an Evidence Partner, East Lancashire Learning Group will support other general FE and sixth-form colleges in their region and across England to help translate robust research into practical teaching improvements. This includes:

• Increasing awareness of the EEF within the 16–19 sector
• Sharing evidence-based resources and approaches
• Converting evidence into actionable practice via case studies, blogs, videos, and other formats
• Building strong regional networks with providers and partners to foster collaboration

Vice Principal for Academic Curriculum and Campus Principal at Nelson Fionnuala Swann said:

“We are proud to be named as one of the founding partner colleges in the Education Endowment Foundation’s new Evidence Partnership for the 16 to 19 sector. This recognition reflects the strength, expertise, and dedication of our staff in improving outcomes for young people. Being part of this national initiative places us at the forefront of shaping how evidence is used in post-16 education and ensures that decisions about teaching and learning are rooted in what really works. 

Importantly, the partnership’s focus on improving outcomes for disadvantaged learners strongly aligns with our mission and values. We look forward to working with our fellow colleges to share best practice and make a real difference for every learner, whatever their background.”

A key goal of the Partnership is to help address the persistent attainment gap affecting socio-economically disadvantaged learners – by the end of secondary school, they experience average learning gaps of 19.1 months compared to their peers.

East Lancashire Learning Group is one of six founding Evidence Partner Colleges announced by the EEF today:

• Thomas Rotherham – Thomas Rotherham College
• New City College – New City College | Ofsted Outstanding – Enrol Now
• Exeter College – Exeter College : Your First Choice Ofsted Outstanding College
• East Lancashire Learning Group – Homepage – ELLG – East Lancashire Learning Group
• Middlesbrough College – Middlesbrough College | Further & Higher Education in Teesside
• Truro and Penwith College – Truro & Penwith College | Go Further

The appointment of the Evidence Partners – through a competitive application process – marks an important step in the EEF’s expanded focus on the 16–19 sector.

The EEF will oversee the development, support, and quality assurance of the work of each Evidence Partner College, ensuring the partnership delivers real impact for teachers and learners across the sector.

Emily Yeomans, co-CEO of the EEF, said “The 16–19 phase is a pivotal stage for young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, as they work towards achieving their full potential and securing vital qualifications.

“There is clear appetite across the sector for stronger evidence that speaks directly to the challenges colleges face – enabling them to use their resources more effectively and better support their learners. By building a collaborative partnership, where members can share practice and embed evidence use, we aim to help reduce the entrenched inequalities that many young people still experience across the country.

“We are delighted to be working with East Lancashire Learning Group and our other partner colleges to launch this new evidence partnership.”