Henry Smith, MP for Crawley, is encouraging local schools to put on money lessons this June, to give their pupils a head-start in financial education before it becomes a compulsory part of the new National Curriculum in September. The move comes in advance of this year’s My Money Week (9 to 15 June), run by national financial education charity pfeg (Personal Finance Education Group).
Henry, who as a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Financial Education for Young People has long championed the cause in Westminster, commented:
“With financial education part of the national curriculum from next September, I’d like to see local education and community organisations in our town encourage teams of young people to take part in My Money Week.
“It’s important that young people improve their financial skills and share their new knowledge with others in the community, and to find out more I would urge schools and parents to go to: www.pfeg.org/mymoneyweek”
Tracey Bleakley, Chief Executive of pfeg (Personal Finance Education Group), said:
“I welcome Henry Smith MP’s call for local schools to take part in My Money Week, which is a terrific opportunity to help pupils learn more about money in a fun and engaging way. We’re delighted to have his support for what we hope will be Crawley’s best My Money Weekyet.”
Every primary and secondary school in Crawley is being given the chance to take part in My Money Week, which aims to help young people learn more about money and personal finance, for free. This year My Money Week will be themed around current affairs, challenging young people to improve their financial skills, knowledge and confidence through topical lessons and activities on personal finance. As the UK’s leading financial education charity, pfeg is offering teachers in Crawley free online resources, advice and training to help plan their activities.
Since the first My Money Week in 2009, millions of young people have been helped to understand more about money and personal finance through focused activities in schools. In 2013 My Money Week reached approximately 1.3 million young people in more than 4,500 schools and other settings across the UK.