Staff from Harpenden Building Society are ‘going back to school’ to help deliver a ‘Money Manager’ financial education scheme to local children.
So far nearly 1200 youngsters aged between 4 and 11 years (key stage 1 & 2) have enrolled on the scheme with the Society encouraging more local schools to sign up to the program .
Harpenden Building Society has partnered with financial experts Young Money and the Building Societies Association to help provide sessions enabling the children attending to gain a better understanding of money and how best to manage it. The Society helps by providing local schools with funding for ready-made, easy to use lesson plans and materials. Leona Wheals, who is the Society’s Community Coordinator, leads and delivers the scheme.
The sessions offer practical and fun learning modules relating to managing money; becoming a critical consumer; managing risks and emotions associated with money and understanding the important role money plays in our lives.
Schools can enrol and gain access to the ‘Money Manager’ scheme by contacting the Society by phoning 01296 623595.
Once a school joins the scheme, it is launched at an assembly delivered by Leona, giving the children an exciting taster of what to expect. This introduction is then followed by individual learning sessions delivered by their teachers. Every class taking part is provided with a module log sheet to track the lessons they complete, with each child then receiving a certificate at the end of the school year to recognise their new financial knowledge and achievement.
Leona Wheals, Harpenden Building Society’s Community Coordinator said: “Teaching children the basics of money management from a young age is important preparation for living life well. We’ve had great fun delivering the Money Manager Scheme and as a Society we are proud to be supporting schools in our local communities.”
Photo: Leona Wheals from Harpenden Building Society helps deliver the ‘Money Manager’ scheme.