We want to celebrate the schools that are championing financial education. Our Centres of Excellence programme does this by recognising and rewarding schools who are committing to excellence in financial education within their own setting and beyond.
We are working with a range of businesses to transform schools into Centres of Excellence by supporting them to successfully deliver practical and sustainable financial education.
With guidance from a financial education consultant, schools work towards our Young Money improvement framework – a set of national professional standards they need to meet. This involves creating engaging and inspiring learning programmes, alongside staff development and training. Young people are at the heart of the programme. The goal is that they leave school with the knowledge, skills and confidence to be able to make informed and independent financial decisions.
We host an annual free Teacher Conference. The day provides a unique opportunity for educators, whether involved in the Centres of Excellence programme or not, to attend workshops focussed around embedding financial and enterprise education, to access up to date tools and resources and to share best practice ideas with like minded people.
Schools that are successful in their application work on demonstrating how the features of a Centre of Excellence are being met and evidenced in line with a structured set of criteria themed around: Leadership and Management, Teaching and Learning, Pupil Assessment and involvement, Staff Development and Sharing Financial Education. Schools are supported through the process by a specialist consultant.
If you are interested in taking part in the programme please share your details here.
The selected schools enjoy a wealth of benefits, all of which are provided free thanks to funding from our corporate partners. These include:
Once achieved, the accreditation is valid for three years. Beyond that, there is the potential for a school to reapply and be revalidated. A review will take place 18 months after the school’s initial award date to ensure they are maintaining their commitment to financial education.
We are currently seeking further funders to work with us to create more Centres of Excellence. Elevating a school to Centre of Excellence status in financial education will benefit your business by:
Good financial education has never been more crucial. We need to partner with your business to make this happen. To find out more, contact Anita O’Hara at anita.ohara@y-e.org.uk or call 020 7078 0735.
Need advice, resources or ideas to support the delivery of financial education in your school? Contact our free advisory service and our team will be happy to help.
020 4526 6389 | advisory@y-e.org.uk
New funding is currently available for schools or colleges that wish to join the Centres of Excellence programme. Areas with existing funding include: Bristol, Cirencester, Cambridge, Chester (West), Nottingham, Solihull, Leeds, Manchester, London, Westminster. Register your details here
“The most interesting part of the programme is seeing the development and the positivity of all involved parties, from pupils and teachers to parents and the governing body. Having taken a pupil centred approach and implementing a strategy based on their desires I truly believe this programme has enabled our learners to be money wise and responsible”
– Daniel, Ysgol y Strade
“The Centres of Excellence programme has given me confidence in my own ability, and I am now also able to train and advise my colleagues”
– Simon, Shaftesbury High School
“Just wanted to say thank you and congratulations on organising yesterday’s conference. As always I’ve come back to school buzzing with ideas!”
– Nicky, Aintree Davenhill Primary School, Merseyside
“Just wanted to say thank you to you and your team for the way that you organised yesterday’s conference. I was so glad that I decided to attend. Found the sessions really useful.”
– Nicola, The Phoenix Collegiate, Sandwell
