Pupils at Trinity All Saints CE Primary School in Bingley have been learning about how to handle money as part of a Church of England and Young Enterprise saving scheme for children.
The Life Savers scheme which was piloted in Bradford from 2015 (with Oxenhope CE primary as one of two schools involved locally) has proved so successful that now it is being rolled out to 120 more schools across the country.
This month, Year 5 pupils at Trinity All Saints were joined by their families and local church members at the school launch of the initiative.
(Pictured, left, are pupils are (l t r) Bradley Allan (LifeSavers Area Co-ordinator, West Yorkshire), Mrs Jane Glendinning (Headteacher) and Miss Elizabeth Lancaster (Deputy Headteacher)).
Under the pioneering scheme, savings clubs administered by credit unions in primary schools are encouraging children to save small, regular amounts of money. Each school has the freedom to introduce the savings scheme in different ways. Pupils have to be responsible for accounting for the money saved and for banking the sums given. At Bingley, fifteen pupils have taken part in the initial launch and staff say they have already grown in self-confidence from the responsibility of running the scheme.
Headteacher of Trinity All Saints, Mrs Jane Glendinning, said, “It is a wonderful opportunity that will equip our pupils with a real understanding about all aspects of money. The skills our pupils will learn will have a far reaching impact on their financial management for the rest of their lives.”
Nine year old Harry Nunns said, “It was exciting to take part in the opening of LifeSavers. It is a good idea.”
The Bishop of Huddersfield, Rt Revd Jonathan Gibbs is the chair of the Steering Group for LifeSavers. He says, “Helping children to handle money wisely and well gives them some really important skills for life in today's world, and I am delighted that local churches are getting involved in the delivery of this exciting new programme. It is part of our commitment to the education and well-being of the children of our nation.”