For the past year our research team have been working with financial education charity MyBnk to evaluate two of their flagship school programmes. The evaluation was funded by the Money Advice Service (MAS) What Works Fund (WWF). The studies are both crucial in adding to the body of evidence into the effect of teaching financial education in schools.
Money Twist, uses expert trainers to deliver interactive and varied class-room based financial education. Our research team developed a suite of age specific research tools in order to measure the impact the programmes have upon the pupils.
The primary school study is of particular importance as financial education is not currently included in the primary school national curriculum. The research demonstrated that the programme increased 7-11 year olds’ understanding of banking, budgeting, financial decision making and its consequences.
“We believe that this this ground-breaking primary school intervention has demonstrated its ability to have a positive impact on both the mindset and ability of 7-11 year olds to understand financial concepts”. (Dr. Kath Edgar. Substance)
The KickStart money consortium, the primary school programme funders and MyBnk launched our research findings in Parliament on 29th June and invited ministers to observe the MyBnk session being delivered to a group of KS2 children. Kath Edgar who led the research was present at the Westminster launch and was delighted to discuss our research findings to the funders of the programme.
The session and findings were well received, and a number of MPs signed a letter addressed to the Secretary of State to urge them to place financial education onto the primary national curriculum. We are pleased to provide this robust evidence base to allow for this important policy area to be debated at the highest level.
Using our research findings to lobby Government for these policy changes as described by KickStart Money committee member Jane Goodlan:
“We’re delighted that the Kickstart Money programme has been independently judged as being effective. Based on this success, we reiterate our call that the Government should put financial education on the national primary curriculum. Politicians may believe that being competent with numbers equates to being good with money. While basic numeracy skills are helpful for budgeting and saving, many of our financial habits are in fact motivated by our attitudes and behaviours learned at a young age, and not by our ability to do complex maths.” Jane Goodland, Responsible Business Director, Quilter & KickStart Money Representative.
A short film which describes the programme and highlights our key findings has also been made to accompany our research report. Further press coverage of our research can be found at:
Financial Times Advisor – https://bit.ly/2lPaJ1w
MyBnk – https://bit.ly/2NjvGyr
The Guardian – https://bit.ly/2N7TRzC
MoneyWise – https://bit.ly/2u0lCl2
Skinted Minted Mum – https://bit.ly/2Kshbdv
