Youngsters learnt about budgeting in a financial education session sponsored by Cumberland Building Society.
Pupils aged eight to 11 at Hayton Church of England Primary School, near Brampton, talked about money and choices, then formed groups to get stuck into a budgeting challenge that involved planning a class party.
They had to choose the items their party ‘needed’ from a long list that included a venue, a photo booth, cupcakes, sandwiches, a bubble machine, and a music speaker.
It was part of The Cumberland’s drive to support financial literacy.
Staff from The Cumberland were on hand to help, including chief executive Stuart Miller.
Year 6 pupil Thomas Tweddle said: “I learned that a budget is a set amount of money, that you set for yourself, and you don’t go over the budget. But it’s okay if you go under, to save money.
“It was really fun, and I had a good time.”
The workshop was one of many that The Cumberland will help to deliver, as part of their initiative to reach 60 primary schools in the communities it serves in Cumbria, Lancashire, Northumberland, and South West Scotland.
The society has partnered with community interest company FutureJam, which designed and delivers the workshops.
The initiative will also provide interactive teaching for both teachers and parents.
Florence Tewson, FutureJam founder and director, said: “Children start forming their relationship with money as young as seven, which is why partnerships like this one with The Cumberland matter so much to us.
“Together, we’re able to bring hands-on financial education to young people at exactly the right moment, giving them the foundations to feel confident and in control of their money throughout their lives.”
Cumberland chief customer officer Claire Deekes said: “Our customers are telling us, and the schools are telling us, how important financial education is, because young people don’t always get the opportunity to engage with it.”
Stuart Miller added: “Financial education is something that The Cumberland is incredibly passionate about, and after speaking to the people in our communities, we know that it’s something that is really important to them too.
“It’s been great to visit Hayton Primary and see the programme in action.
“Interacting with the students, watching them learn, and knowing the impact that it could potentially have throughout their lives is very rewarding.”
At the end of the afternoon workshop, all the pupils went home with a certificate to celebrate what they had learned.
Headteacher Sarah Threlkeld-Brown said: “They got the children really energised and engaged and held their attention all afternoon.
“The children really enjoyed the activities, and they learned an awful lot about budgeting.”
