Empowering the Future: Building Financial Literacy with EVERFI's Vault
At the Cumberland, we’re proud to support the next generation in strengthening their financial literacy. To this end, we’ve partnered with EVERFI, an organization that provides free teaching and learning resources for schools.
In this case study, Bernadette Charnley, the Headteacher at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School in Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria, tells us how she has recently been upskilling her pupils' financial literacy skills using EVERFI’s free education resource Vault: Understanding Money.
"Our goal as educators, and our goal as a school, is to make children successful, happy members of society. Using Vault: Understanding Money, supported by Cumberland Building Society, provides our pupils with a base knowledge of financial literacy that will help them make smart financial decisions in the future. Through this powerful free tool, teachers can equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate the complexities of financial literacy confidently.
"In our ever-changing world, and current financial crisis, there has never been a better time to teach financial literacy. Children are more concerned about financial matters at the moment. It is not uncommon to overhear then discussing the reasons why they can’t take part in certain activities because money is tight at home. This is not something pupils should be concerned about in the playground. By teaching them about financial literacy education in schools now, we empower them to build a solid foundation for their financial well-being, ensuring they are as prepared for the future as they can be.
"At Our Lady of the Rosary, we serve a diverse population of pupils, with 25% high pupil premium and 22% SEND. Recognising the challenges these students face, Vault: Understanding Money, offers a free resource that ensures financial literacy education is accessible to pupils at a critical age and from less privileged socio-economic backgrounds. This inclusivity is vital in promoting equality and providing our pupils with the opportunity to develop essential financial skills.
"One of the remarkable features of EVERFI's Vault:Understanding Money is its ability to captivate and engage students through its interactive design. The platform incorporates characters, visuals, real-life examples and interactive elements that make learning about financial literacy enjoyable and relatable. As part of our signing up to the programme, we received a free workshop by an EVERFI representative to help us embed the resource into the school, working with our teachers and pupils to bring it to life – the pupils absolutely loved it, and the facilitator brought lots of personality to the day.
"Integrating financial literacy education into our curriculum has been a seamless process with EVERFI's Vault. The platform aligns with both mathematics and personal development outcomes, allowing us to incorporate financial concepts into existing lessons. Through practical applications of mathematical skills and discussions about the value of money, our students develop a deeper understanding of personal finance. This integration ensures that financial literacy education is not a standalone topic but a fundamental part of our pupils' overall education.
"The impact of EVERFI's Vault: Understanding Money extends far beyond the classroom. By instilling good financial habits at a young age, like at primary school, we are equipping our pupils with lifelong skills that will serve them well into adulthood. The platform's focus on saving, budgeting, and responsible spending cultivates a mindset of financial responsibility, enabling our pupils to make informed decisions about their finances as they progress through life.
"One of the most significant advantages of EVERFI's Vault is that it is a free resource, which is invaluable to schools like ours with limited budgets. The partnership with the Cumberland Building Society ensures financial literacy education is accessible to all schools, regardless of financial resources.
"As head teacher of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School, I firmly believe that financial literacy education is a crucial aspect of preparing our pupils for the challenges they will face in the real world. EVERFI's Vault: Understanding Money, supported by the Cumberland Building Society, has provided us with an exceptional tool to deliver this education effectively and engagingly – I wish I had been exposed to this learning when I was at school.”