Vale of Clwyd MP, and Parliamentary Candidate for Clwyd East, Dr James Davies MP, has praised pupils at a Ruthin school for creating a financial educational workbook which is proving hugely popular since its launch earlier this year.
James attended the launch of 'Seren's Farm', which is a bilingual financial education resource created by Ysgol Pentrecelyn, in February and is pleased to hear that the book has been a huge hit. The launch event took place at Llanbenwch Caravan Park.
The pupils at Ysgol Pentrecelyn were involved in developing the characters, plotline and illustrations for the workbook alongside a consultant, ensuring it accurately represented their local community.
He said:
“I was pleased to join Headteacher Andrew Evans and the children from Ysgol Pentrecelyn, along with over 50 guests, earlier this year to celebrate the publication of this unique resource, and I am delighted to hear of its success since.
“Starting in 2022, Ysgol Pentrecelyn’s Key Stage 2 collaborated with Young Enterprise to deliver a financial education project that reflected the specific
needs and interests of their rural community.
“The resource addresses the critical importance of numeracy, financial literacy and enterprising thinking to a successful career in farming or a related sector.
“The workbook is now available for schools to order from the Young Enterprise website (YE website), free of charge.
“In April, Young Enterprise held their first teacher training workshop for schools local to Ysgol Pentrecelyn, equipping teachers at 7 schools and reaching 550 learners.
“This workshop was delivered bilingually by Ysgol Pentrecelyn Headteacher Andrew Evans and David Evans from SARN, who is a constituent of mine.
“A further teacher training workshop is being planned, to be held at a school in Gwynedd in the summer term, to reach 5+ schools in that region.
“Seren’s Farm is also featured by the Money and Pension Service (MaPS) in their financial education guidance for Welsh schools.
“The project is on track to complete a planned roll out to 20 schools and 7,500 learners by the end of July 2024. This is a fantastic achievement and I applaud all those involved at the school, particularly the children.
“Ensuring children are financially educated is vitally important and I think what Ysgol Pentrecelyn have created is an excellent tool to help schools provide this education.
“I enjoyed meeting the children at the launch event in February and thank Sara and Gwion of Llanbenwch Caravan Park for hosting the event.”
Chief Operating Officer at Young Enterprise, Russell Winnard, said:
"Seren's Farm is a fantastic example of how the delivery of financial education can be adapted to ensure it is relevant and appropriate to the young people it seeks to reach.
“Farming is at the heart of many communities within Wales, and Seren's Farm uses that connection to develop financial knowledge, skills and attitudes.
“Research highlights lower levels of financial capability amongst young people in rural communities, and Seren's Farm has taken a proactive approach to addressing this within Wales."
Headteacher Andrew Evans said:
“As a small, rural primary school, where farming is at the heart of the community, we wanted to create a resource that truly reflected the features of our local environment.
“There was no specific resource available, so we decided, with the help of financial education experts, our school community and Young Enterprise, to create something unique.
“The resource we’ve created directly addresses our financial and numeracy skills development needs and is equally valuable for other learners in similar
rural environments.”
Cllr Hugh Evans, said:
“I would like to congratulate Pentrecelyn school on this innovative approach to education, working in partnership and utilising its natural environment to enhance the offer for the pupils."
Just days before the launch, James visited Tim Faire, Flint Deputy County Chair of the FUW, at his farm almost next door, Plas Bedw.
James said:
“It was good to visit Tim and to find out more from him about the farming community and the challenges they are currently facing.”
To find out more about Young Enterprise's financial education programmes and services visit: Financial Education - Young Enterprise & Young Money (young-enterprise.org.uk)
