Financial Support for Parents and Carers
We understand that families can sometimes face financial challenges, and support is available. If you are worried about the cost of living, benefits, debt, budgeting or finding additional financial help, the trusted organisations below offer free, confidential and impartial advice.
They can help you check if you are entitled to benefits, search for grants, create a budget or access debt support. If you are unsure where to start, we encourage you to explore the resources below or speak to a member of the Barcroft staff if you need help finding the right service for your circumstances.
Helpful Financial Support Websites
- MoneyHelper – Free government-backed advice on budgeting, benefits, pensions, debt and managing your money.
- Citizens Advice – Independent advice on benefits, debt, housing, employment and consumer rights.
- Turn2us – Check your benefit entitlement, search for charitable grants and access practical financial support.
- StepChange Debt Charity – Free, confidential debt advice and personalised support for anyone struggling with money or debt.
- GOV.UK – Check Benefits and Financial Support – Find out what financial support and benefits you may be eligible to claim.
- GOV.UK – Cost of Living Support – Information on budgeting, savings, debt support and other help available with the cost of living.
- National Debtline – Free, independent and confidential advice for people dealing with debt and money worries.
Our Vision – We believe that all children should be given the best chance for a rewarding future, in work and in life, no matter where they start their journey.
Our Mission - Our mission is to empower all children to discover, develop their understanding of money and saving to ensure they are prepared for a life in society.
What is financial Education?
Financial education teaches the skills and attitudes necessary to understand money and finance. Developing an understanding of finance equips us with the knowledge and skills we need to manage money effectively. It helps us to make well-informed choices and encourages financially responsible behaviour.
Educating children about finance at a young age aims to deepen their knowledge of money in the real-world. It develops their ability to manage money as they grow older and gives them the knowledge and confidence to make important financial decisions.
Young Money, and the APPG on Financial Education for Young People, have successfully campaigned to include financial education on the secondary school curriculum – placed onto the Citizenship curriculum in September 2014 - and continues to campaign for the same in primary
As a school we made the decision to work alongside Young Money to develop a finance curriculum from Early Years to Year 6.
What your child will learn?
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
Our youngest learners begin to develop an early understanding of money and making choices through play and everyday experiences. They will learn about:
- Recognising and talking about coins in role-play activities.
- Understanding that money is used to buy things.
- Exploring the difference between things we need and things we want.
- Taking turns, sharing and making simple choices.
- Looking after their belongings and school resources.
- Beginning to understand that we cannot always have everything we want.
Key Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2)
Children continue to develop their understanding of money and begin making simple financial decisions. They will learn about:
- Recognising and naming coins and notes.
- Counting money and finding simple totals.
- Understanding the difference between needs and wants.
- Saving money for a purpose.
- Making sensible spending choices.
- Looking after personal belongings and understanding value.
- Beginning to understand where money comes from.
Lower Key Stage 2 (Years 3 & 4)
Children begin applying their financial knowledge to real-life situations and develop confidence in managing money responsibly. They will learn about:
- Budgeting and planning spending.
- Understanding value for money.
- Making wise purchasing decisions.
- Fairtrade and ethical spending.
- Enterprise and fundraising activities.
- Banking and different ways of managing money.
- Income, spending and saving.
- Comparing prices and understanding best value
Upper Key Stage 2 (Years 5 & 6)
Children deepen their financial understanding and prepare for future financial responsibilities. They will learn about:
- Saving money and understanding interest.
- Borrowing and lending responsibly.
- Taxes and why they are important.
- Careers, earnings and different types of income.
- Online banking, digital payments and staying safe online.
- Recognising scams and protecting personal information.
- Financial planning and making informed financial decisions.
- Setting financial goals and understanding the importance of long-term planning.
Through these experiences, our aim is for every child to leave Barcroft Acadmy with the knowledge, confidence and skills to make informed financial decisions throughout their lives.
Family Savings Challenges
Why not take on a family savings challenge together? Setting a shared savings goal is a fun and practical way to encourage children to develop positive money habits while helping the whole family save towards something special.
Whether you're saving pennies each day, taking part in a no-spend challenge or working towards a family treat, these activities help children understand the importance of budgeting, planning ahead and making thoughtful spending choices. Explore the trusted resources below to find a savings challenge that works for your family.
https://www.natwest.com/savings/savings-guides/money-saving-
challenges.html https://www.hsbc.co.uk/savings/challenges-to-help-you-save-money/ https://www.emmasdiary.co.uk/pregnancy-and-birth/budgeting-as-a-new-parent/savings-challenges-for-parents-in-2026
Financial Education Resources for Home
Supporting children to develop positive money habits is most effective when learning continues both at school and at home. The resources below provide a range of engaging activities, games, guides and practical advice to help children and families build confidence in managing money, making informed financial decisions and understanding the value of saving and spending. We encourage parents and carers to explore these trusted resources together with their child to continue developing important financial skills for life.
https://www.valuesmoneyandme.co.uk/teachers/i-want-it-ks2
https://natwest.mymoneysense.com/home/
http://www.nicurriculum.org.uk/curriculum_microsite/financial_capability/key_stage1/resources/
https://www.lifesavers.co.uk/schoolresources
https://www.hsbc.co.uk/financial-education/
https://signup.gohenry.com/uk/parent-details
https://schools.beano.com/lesson_plan_category/moneyandme/
https://online.maryville.edu/online-bachelors-degrees/accounting/money-management-lessons-kids/
https://barclayslifeskills.com/educators/lessons/?category=category-383242&age=age-7-11
https://www.mybnk.org/our-work/financial-education/money-twist-ks1/
Here are some interactive videos and games for children to access. Have fun!
| Resource | What children will learn |
|---|---|
| Money Heroes – Ed and Bunny Game | A fun interactive game for children aged 3–11 that teaches saving, spending, needs and wants, and making sensible money choices through engaging activities. |
| NatWest MoneySense Games | Free games for children covering topics such as budgeting, saving, recognising scams, banks and spending wisely. Suitable for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. |
| Teaching Money – Interactive Money Games | Interactive games that help children recognise UK coins and notes, count money, calculate totals and work out change. Ideal for practising maths and money skills. |
| Nationwide Education – Money Wiz Game | A free interactive board game for children aged 7–11 that develops budgeting, saving and financial decision-making through realistic scenarios. |
| MoneyHelper – Talk Learn Do Activities | A collection of free interactive family games, quizzes and practical activities that encourage children to learn about saving, spending and making good money choices at home. |
These resources are provided by trusted organisations including Young Enterprise, NatWest, Nationwide Building Society and MoneyHelper