Marcus Jones, the MP for Nuneaton, 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).
Every primary and secondary school in Nuneaton 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 Nuneaton free online resources, advice and training to help plan their activities.
Commenting, Marcus said: “I am very pleased to be encouraging schools in my constituency to put on money lessons this June, which will help to give children a head-start in the importance of managing finances before it becomes compulsory in September. It is absolutely vital that local children learn these very important life skills, which will stand them in good stead for the future.”
Tracey Bleakley, chief executive of pfeg (Personal Finance Education Group), said: “Marcus Jones MP is absolutely right to call for all 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 are delighted to have his support for what we hope will be Nuneaton’s best My Money Week yet.”
Financial education will become a compulsory part of the National Curriculum for the first time this September, after years of campaigning by MPs and Peers in the APPG on Financial Education for Young People, pfeg and MoneySavingExpert.com’s Martin Lewis. The move only affects secondary schools still under local authority control, however pfeg initiatives such as My Money Week are designed to get all schools involved in financial education, including all primary schools, Academies and Free Schools.
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.
Schools and other organisations that work with young people in Nuneaton can find out more about My Money Week at www.pfeg.org/mymoneyweek