Today’s lesson is about budgets: The Cumberland invests in pupils’ financial education
Pupils at Eastriggs Primary School have been learning about budgeting, as part of a financial education drive sponsored by Cumberland Building Society.
Children discovered the importance of planning a budget, and the difference between wants and needs, in the session delivered to pupils aged 8 to 11 through The Cumberland’s commitment to support financial literacy.
The youngsters 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.
The workshop was one of many that The Cumberland will help to deliver, as part of its initiative to reach 60 primary schools in the communities it serves across 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.
One of the teachers at Eastriggs said: "It benefitted my students greatly. It was great for them to get the opportunity to talk about money and budgeting.
"They loved getting to work with people from outside of the school. I really liked the problem-solving party planning activity."
Another added: "This helps to meet our needs in numeracy and wider maths as it gets pupils working with different amounts of money and adding and subtracting within a budget."
Hannah Williamson, The Cumberland’s Community Branch Manager – Gretna, Langholm & Lockerbie, who attended the event, said: “It was incredible to be part of the FutureJam session at Eastrigg’s Primary School.
“The pupils were brilliant; watching their confidence grow throughout the session, especially when they were talking through their party planning budget. I am excited to join the next one already!”