Innovative project helps pupils prosper

PUPILS in Swansea are improving their maths and money management skills thanks to a new project in the city.

Lloyds Banking Group and Gower College Swansea have teamed up to boost practical numeracy skills at the Trallwn, Clwyd, Craigfelen and Gwyrosydd primary schools in a project which is supported by Swansea Council.

The project sees 10 Lloyds Bank colleagues spending 90 minutes per week, over a 12-week period, helping eight and nine-year-old pupils understand key money matters around saving and borrowing.

Pupils are also being challenged to set up mini businesses to create products they can then sell while developing key skills such as teamwork, problem solving and creativity.

Teams from each school will be entered into a final competition at the Lloyds Bank Swansea Oxford Street branch with a winner for the best mini business to be announced by July 17.

The project was initiated when Michael Halfpenny, from the Lloyds Bank West Wales Local Directors Group, met with Sue Poole, Gower College Swansea Enterprise Education Manager, to discuss how they could work together to help schools and their local communities.

Michael said : “As part of the Group’s ambition to help Britain prosper, we are thrilled to be able to support this fantastic cause to help the community thrive. This is a great opportunity for pupils to learn key money-related skills at a young age, and start thinking of ambitious business ideas to support themselves and their communities later on in life.”

Sue said: “We have been working with young people across the city of Swansea, taking them forward on a journey of entrepreneurship. The skills, knowledge and experience these young people gain along the way are valuable assets in all areas of their lives. This new partnership with Lloyds Bank has proved to be extremely successful. Working with enthusiastic Lloyds Bank staff has not only helped students improve their numeracy skills, but the project has also helped them to practically use these skills in a real life setting by setting up a mini business and selling their products.”

Cllr Jen Raynor, Swansea Council Cabinet Member for Education, said: “Numeracy and money management are key skills everyone needs to have every day in their lives. They are also essential workforce skills pupils need to boost their future job prospects.

“Swansea Council is supporting schools to improve numeracy throughout the city through both challenge and support.

“The input from Lloyds Bank and Gower College into these schools will have a lasting positive impact on the pupils involved. I wish them all the best in their mini business plans and look forward to hearing their ideas.”