As part of the Essex Year of Numbers initiative, Essex County Council has joined forces with HSBC UK to make discussions around money less daunting and more fun for students ages 14-18 across the county.
Essex’s lead maths educators and HSBC UK’s financial education team have worked together to adapt the bank’s popular Smart Money Financial Education Programme, covering key areas of financial literacy including money management, budgeting, borrowing, savings and fraud prevention.
A hybrid lesson model, a series of six modules will be delivered by teachers as well as the bank’s dedicated financial education team both in classroom and online. Each module has been carefully designed to align with the school curriculum and support students in developing practical skills that are applicable to real-life financial scenarios.
Clare Kershaw, Director of Education at Essex County Council said: “The collaboration between Essex County Council and HSBC UK is a great example of our shared commitment to equipping young people with essential financial skills that are crucial for future success. The programme breaks down the barriers surrounding money and makes finance fun and accessible for children of all ages. By fostering financial literacy among students, the Essex Year of Numbers continues to empower people to make informed financial decisions and navigate the complexities of the financial landscape with confidence.”
Annette Whalley, Senior Financial Education Consultant at HSBC UK said: “Financial skills are life skills, and so we’re incredibly excited to be working with Essex County Council to help young people build financial capabilities as part of Essex Year of Numbers. Working closely with maths education leads, we’ve tailored our Smart Money Financial Education Programme to showcase the practical application of maths in everyday financial decisions – from basic budgeting to interest calculations and value assessments.”
Natalie Holgate from The Deanes School said: “We are thrilled to see the introduction of HSBC UK’s Smart Money Financial Education Programme in our school. Financial literacy is a crucial life skill that can often be overlooked. The programme not only complements our curriculum but equips students with practical knowledge that they can apply in their daily lives. This Essex Year of Numbers is not just about teaching maths — we are empowering our students to become financially savvy individuals who can confidently navigate their financial futures.”
The Essex Year of Numbers was launched in response to evidence produced by the charity National Numeracy that shows a link between low numeracy skills and debt, unemployment, and even poor health. The year-long campaign aims to close the grade gap for disadvantaged children in Essex, as well as providing support to parents, teachers and carers.
If you are interested in HSBC UK visiting your school, please visit www.essexyearofnumbers.co.uk or email [email protected] for further information.
