SCHOOL children have been receiving lessons in how to manage their money from financial services company Legal & General.
Pupils in Worthing, Burgess Hill and Crowborough were taught how to get it, spend it and save it in the sessions that took place at their school. All sessions were divided into three sections based on the ‘get it, spend it, save it’ plan.
The lessons are part of the Every Day Money (EDM) programme run by Legal & General in partnership with EdComs which aims to educate young people prepare for the future responsibilities around money.
Activities included working out how to manage their money, how to work out income tax and how to budget.
One of the schools which took part was Beacon Academy in Crowborough. Teacher Beth Owen said: “This is a great opportunity for children as the teachers don’t have time allocated in the curriculum to cover these key life skills. It helps the pupils to learn about different level jobs and how much they can earn which is supported by their education and ambition to succeed.”
Another teacher Chris Courtney who is Head of Business and Economics and organiser of EDM at Beacon Academy said: “All students have been really engaged and it is good for them to hear this information from experts to enable them to take this topic seriously.”
Pupils at Beacon Academy, aged 14 and 15, said they found the day really enjoyable. We asked Charlotte Cullen, Head Girl, what she thought of the day. Charlotte said: “I had a bit of knowledge before the session due to a job outside of school but now I feel a lot better knowing what to expect for the future.” Another student Dan Willmott said “I really enjoyed the realistic approach during the sessions. The leaders were very enthusiastic and they went the extra mile to ensure we understood.”
Amelia Prosser, from Legal & General, said: “The EDM programme aims to understand young people’s attitudes to money and personal finance, as well as supporting the financial education curriculum. It was great to see the pupils so engaged with this and getting involved with all of the activities.”
Carla Lewis, from marketing and communications agency EdComs which specialises in education, said: “It is important for the children at this age to start learning about their financial future and even something as simple as the exercise where we ask the students to work out their bills.”
The nation-wide programme covers 29 schools with three in Sussex and in total will span over three months, beginning in Newport in April and finishing in July in Newcastle. In Sussex, the financial services company attended Burgess Hill Academy and Chatsmore Catholic High School in Worthing in May before Beacon Academy in Crowborough on June 25.