Spring Term updates

It seems like only yesterday that I sent out the first #ChangeTheGame newsletter. However, reflecting on all the incredible things we’ve collectively achieved since then, I’m amazed we’re not already halfway through the year! This is a huge, and hugely important, undertaking: we have 49 schools participating, and 3,028 children who’ve taken part in 93 RedSTART workshops and lessons since the start of this year. These have been led by a mixture of teachers, RedSTART regional managers and our fantastic volunteers. Everyone involved is now contributing in their own way to ensure primary-aged financial education is added to the national curriculum.

The big news is that King’s has now completed the first stage of the longitudinal research, which means we now have the base findings of more than 3,700 completed surveys for the treatment and control groups against which we can chart the effectiveness of the programme. We will be using these initial findings to tell our story through the media, and I’ll keep you updated on our PR plans as they develop.

It’s certainly been a busy month as we also launched a pilot scheme for the banking app in five schools. According to Adam Beechey, the Business Manager at Bridgewater School in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the initial reaction from the Y3 pupils who used it was “overwhelmingly positive – they loved it and can’t wait to use it again. We’re looking forward to seeing how they get on over the coming weeks.”

Update from the classroom

Christina Lartey, our new regional manager for South London, joined the RedSTART family from local government last month and despite only having been in role for a few weeks she is already seeing a marked change in the children from the nine participating schools in her community. Christina, alongside the volunteers she supports, is seeing first-hand what can be achieved and it’s exactly the boost needed to keep driving forward #ChangeTheGame!

“I’m from South London and can really relate to these kids. When I was growing up, I was lucky enough to have a big sister who taught me the basics about personal finance. Many others aren’t so lucky and reach adulthood without the necessary skills to be able to navigate the everyday financial matters that adulthood brings with it. If personal finance issues aren’t spoken about at home, where it can be a difficult subject for a variety of reasons, or broached early on in school these kids reach adulthood ill-equipped and disadvantaged. I wanted to do something about that. I am sure many others do, too.

“If worrying that you’re not good at maths is what’s stopping you from volunteering – stop worrying! The most important thing is that you have great people skills and can engage with the children – everything else is provided for you in a format specially designed for primary school kids. The materials we need volunteers to help us deliver in the schools are really easy to use and RedSTART offers a range of training, as well as support every step of the way. Plus a manager, like me, will be in the room with you!

“It’s truly incredible to see the change in the kids at the end of each session. They are like sponges soaking up all these vital life skills and they have fun doing it. I get to see that first hand and it’s great! The longitudinal research being conducted means everyone else will get to see that as well.”

I’m in awe of all of our volunteers and the regional managers working alongside them, this super group of committed individuals is helping to make a real and lasting difference for these children. If you know of anyone looking to give back to their own community, I would urge them to read what Christina has to say and then to get in touch with us!

We couldn’t do any of this without our fantastic partner schools. Such as Alma Primary School in Enfield which is part of the Attigo Academy Trust.

Alma has a great many pupils on free school meals. It also has a large register of Pupil Premium, SEN, and EAL. Managing to make ends meet at the best of times can be a real challenge for the families and the school has seen the devastating impact the cost of living crisis is wreaking on top of that. So, when I heard that at a recent Y2 session the parents joined in too – and that it was by all accounts a great success – it made my day.

Andrew Carson, who is the Science and Maths lead at Alma, shares his thoughts on the programme below.

“Maths needs to be put in a real-life context and understanding money and your future financial responsibilities is the perfect way to do it. Lots of our pupils are on the sharp end of the cost of living crisis and I did initially wonder if talking about money in this way might be alienating for them. But that hasn’t been the case at all.

“When Helen [regional manager] and the volunteers came to do the workshop for two Year 5 classes the two hours just flew by. Particularly telling is that there were no behavioural issues the entire time. The pupils loved it and the nature of the materials used meant it appealed to all the pupils, regardless of their ability in maths.

“For me, the ultimate success of Change The Game will be if in 20-30 years’ time, I get to hear how my former pupils are financially stable and secure, that they aren’t mired in debt, maybe that they have been able to buy their own home – that would be great!”

You’re going to hear me say this a LOT over the coming months and years but know that I say it with the same heartfelt gratitude each and every time: thank you to every single one of you who has contributed to the success of the programme so far. We’re making great headway already and it’s all down to you!Until next time, all the best,

Sarah

Sarah Marks
CEO, RedSTART Educate

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