The Personal Finance Society’s (PFS) ‘My Personal Finance Skills’ programme will return to schools this September, following its success over the past academic year.

The programme, targeted at students aged 11-18 years old, delivers free financial education to schools across the country to help students understand more about money and leave school ‘life-ready’.

Across the academic year 2020/2021, a total of 630 sessions were delivered to students through the programme (584 remote, 46 in-person at schools). These sessions are estimated to have reached over 18,000 students.

From September, the programme will continue with this hybrid model of delivery. Where possible, there will be a return to the face to face in-school setting which sees the greatest interaction between pupils and volunteers. Where this is not possible, and depending on individual circumstances, the remote option will remain available for those who wish to use it.

Following the pandemic and its impact on both the economy and individual’s lives, there has been an increasing need to understand more about money from students. Schools have signalled an interest in their students understanding more about debt, saving and credit.

Schools are also keen for students to learn more about financial scams and how to avoid them, following the spike in financial scammers trying to cash in on the pandemic and those vulnerable to it.

Sarah Lord, president of the personal finance society, said: “We are really pleased and excited for the Personal Finance Skills sessions to return to schools this Autumn. Following the pandemic, now is a more crucial time than ever to help prepare children for their financial futures and possible situations they may face.”