First Citizens Advice Financial Literacy course at Epsom & Ewell High School
Citizens Advice is delighted to report the success of its first Financial Literacy course for young people in Epsom & Ewell.
100 Year 12 students at Epsom & Ewell High School took part in the 6-week pilot course last term. They learned more about money, loans, credit, how to stay out of debt and even how to save.
EEHS held a celebratory assembly where students received certificates and Citizens Advice contact cards in case of future money worries. Thanks go to Surrey CC Councillors Steven McCormick and Bernie Muir; to Alex Coley, trustee at Ruxley Foundation; and to Aviva Community Fund for making the project possible. Chris Grayling MP congratulated the school and CAEE team. Photograph: details below.
Building on success
Every year CAEE Advisers help hundreds of local people with serious and complex debt problems. They know from this experience that prevention is so much better than cure. And a great way to do this is to improve financial education. That’s why we’re now keen to build on the EEHS success to make the course available to more young people.
Lisa Davis, CAEE Chief Executive said:
“We’re so grateful to Epsom & Ewell High School and the funders and looking forward to working with future EEHS students. The success means we can look towards securing funding to roll out the messagesto other schools in the borough and as many young people as possible. We would love to hear from other local schools or individuals interested in supporting or delivering this project. Contact us at office@caee.org.uk.”
Positive reactions
Hannah Cobbold, EEHS Assistant Headteacher, said:
“This financial literacy project has provided our students with the skills they need to be financially aware but also understand the importance of being financially literate. We were extremely impressed with the time and energy Citizens Advice put into collaborating with the school to create a scheme which was student-friendly and also informative.”
One student was particularly impressed:
“We’ve all been able to take away something positive and specific to each of us which we can implement at university and many other aspects in our future, whether it’s about tax, loans, mortgages, credit cards, being scam aware and much more! The sessions are something we’ll never forget as we’ve all taken the first step to become our own money managers. We also know that if we ever need help, no matter the severity, we can turn to Citizens Advice. Thanks again for all your support.”
* Photograph, left to right: James Newman, Headteacher; Marian Anghileri, Money Adviser CAEE; Cllr Alex Coley, Chair of Trustees of The Ruxley Foundation (funder); Cllr Steve McCormick (funder); Cllr Bernie Muir (funder); Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP; Louise Curd, Publicity & Fundraising Manager CAEE; Hilary Egan, Head of Sixth From, EEHS.