Wellhouse Primary

Wellhouse Primary School, situated in the east end of Glasgow, really embraced financial education throughout session 2007/08.

Brenda Rochead, Headteacher, said:
‘Money Week was a huge success and has had a great impact on the children’s learning for life. It has addressed the social and economic problems often associated with areas of deprivation and has contributed to the emotional wellbeing of our young learners and their families. If children learn to manage money when they are young they will avoid the pitfalls and worries of debt and overspending in later years.  At Wellhouse Primary School, we are keen to promote social inclusion and helping our young learners to become financially capable assists this.'

Wellhouse Primary took forward the ideas from the 'Money Week' resource produced by LTS (distributed free to Scottish schools) and then followed up their school-based activities with the development of a school-based Credit Union collection point, where pupils, parents and volunteers play an active role in the school’s Credit Union. Wellhouse has a very useful and lively partnership with Greater Easterhouse Money Advice Project, whose members have visited the school on several occasions and worked in classes with teachers to ensure the pupils develop an understanding of finance and how their demands and expectations can add stress to family relationships.

At the launch of the school Credit Union, Wellhouse pupils performed their own dramatic scenes as follow-up activities to reading the stories from the short storybook 'On the Money'. Parents and members of the local community were invited along – including some of the local Community Police Team, who took advantage of the opportunity to increase their financial understanding, competence and capability by actively learning alongside the pupils.

Wellhouse Primary took the opportunity to spread the news of the excellent financial experiences in which they have been involved by participating in the Lochend Learning Community Enterprising Health Event in November 2007. At the Bridge Arts Centre in Easterhouse, they performed, on stage, a scene from the short story 'Down the Pan' by Theresa Breslin, to an audience consisting of parents, community groups and members of the Learning Community. This allowed Wellhouse Primary to underline the links between finance and health and wellbeing and stressed the importance financial capability plays in our overall health. The audience came away from the event with an understanding that being able to successfully handle your finances helps your overall quality of life.