As a leading financial education charity, we’re delighted that this morning, our CEO, Sharon Davies, alongside colleagues from MyBnk, GoHenry, Santander UK, Association for Citizenship Teaching, PSHE Association and NAHT - The school leaders' union, was invited to give oral evidence to the Education Select Committee’s Inquiry on Financial Education. As part of the evidence, Sharon suggested: "A sustainable solution for financial education is a teacher-led solution; we need to involve teachers; we need to trust them professionally. They know their learners better than anybody, and they can adapt the content in the best way for their students." Over the last 60 years, we have championed the need for increased financial education opportunities for young people, and while there are many brilliant examples of provision across the UK, we believe the following three crucial areas need to be addressed so that all young people are better equipped for a fast-changing financial and economic world: 1. It needs to start earlier – financial education must be added to the primary curriculum to imbed this learning at an early age, shape attitudes, and build foundations for secondary learning. 2. It needs to be embedded across the curriculum and its profile raised through the Department for Education and Ofsted, so that schools prioritise the delivery of financial education. 3. Teachers need to be better supported with improved guidance, easier access to Quality Mark resources, and more time in the curriculum to deliver effective financial education. To find out more about Young Enterprise’s financial education provision, visit our website: https://lnkd.in/e_pC4Jdk #Inquiry #FinancialEducation #UKGovernment
This is great news that financial education is finally being taken seriously by the government. Well done on your tireless commitment to improving it for young people. What are the plans for including those with neurodivergent learning abilities, such as dyscalculia? Those who struggle with maths at school are at a higher risk of financial fraud as adults, and I'm interested in how they are being considered in your strategy?
I totally agree that financial education should start young. I have been advocating this for many many years. However, how about using professionals who have taught to help support our teachers. I taught the AAT exams BUT I was told my qualifications were too specialised to work with schools. What utter tosh !!!! We have a program in Gloucestershire called "read with me". Volunteers go into schools to listen to reading. How about a similar thing in primary schools for finance ! To be honest I have stopped pushing because of the attitude of the companies who currently claim they offer this education.
You were fab! Well done, Sharon.
Yes, Yes and Yes. This needs to happen yesterday. Whatever our young people aspire to be - nurses, builders, artists, footballers, bloggers, politicians - they will ALL need to know how to manage money wisely - so we need to make it a priority in the curriculum with resources and time allocated. For ALL.
A great discussion regarding financial education in schools. However I agree, teachers train to be specialists in their areas. External speakers with lived-experience of financial difficulties or careers in personal finance can compliment what is offered in schools. Charities and community groups are great source of support after all, they hear the concerns of young people. #financialeducation #financialempowerment #youngpeople
Teachers train to be specialists in their areas, support from industry is paramount after all, they are trained and specialists in their areas. #sharetheload
❤️ would add #4 should be delivered in context with real life scenarios like how much extra you pay for a mobile phone if you have a contract, or how much you need fo save for a deposit for a flat or house with current rates etc
Thoroughly enjoyed being part of Young Enterprise in the past, especially for the long term Company programme, which not only taught business and financial skills, but also taught young people communication and other personal skills and they learnt more about themselves in different roles. Basic financial understanding is such an important life skill.
Sharon Davies - I could not support or echo this more. Our pensions crisis and poor financial management in adulthood directly relates to our lack of financial education during childhood when we are most receptive to forming behaviours.
Fully support the inclusion of financial education for our young people and essential this starts at primary level. I agree that our schools and teachers are in the best position to deliver this, however, there are hurdles to overcome to ensure effective delivery: these are broadly teacher knowledge, time to deliver and access to appropriate resources. I also believe the discussion about the need for financial education spotlights the need for greater educational reform, it is time for change and reform NOT more add-ons.