Epsom Citizen Advice’s Financial Literacy Project has been delivered to Blenheim High School sixth formers (years 12 and 13) for the first time and year 12 pupils at Epsom & Ewell High School for the second year.
It’s a no brainer to teach 16–18-year-olds all about managing money before they go out into the world. This project was set up to inform and educate young people (16-18) in the borough of Epsom and Ewell about financial matters as they move into the adult world and prevent debt related issues.
Topics covered include:
- Opening a bank account, interest rates, APR, overdrafts
- Loans, credit cards, BNPL
- Employment, wages, income tax and PAYE codes
- Savings
- Budgeting
- Crytocurrency
- Spending money – online shopping, mobile phones, gambling
- Spending habits – what sort of “spender” are you? Pressure to spend.
- Student loans and living at university.
- Costs of living away from home [in rented accommodation] – paying rent, council tax, TV licence and other bills
- Comparison sites
- Reliable resources – where to go for information and help and where not to go.
Rosebery Housing funded Blenheim High School, and Cllrs Steven McCormick and Bernice Muir of Surrey County Council funded the project at EEHS.
81% of EEHS pupils reported improved confidence in managing their money and 68% now know where to go to seek help in the future. We look forward to hearing feedback from Blenheim pupils once the course is complete.
