NATIONWIDE is launching a national accreditation for primary school teachers that aims to boost confidence in teaching financial education and help more children develop lifelong money skills with experts calling it a “hugely positive step”.
The accredited financial education training, which enhances Nationwide’s existing Money Lessons programme, is the first initiative of its kind from a UK bank or building society, it has announced.
Developed in partnership with Visa, the accreditation launches for primary school teachers in April and for secondary school teachers by the end of 2026 – and is designed to ease pressures in the classroom.
Teachers can access the accredited financial education training on Nationwide’s Money Lessons webpage as well as the full package of ready to use lessons and activities reducing the need to create content from scratch and helping deliver consistent, high quality financial education lessons and activities.
To become accredited, teachers complete a two-hour online course covering practical topics such as managing money, avoiding scams and recognising misleading online content, followed by a short competency test.
Financial experts backed the scheme – but did point out that teachers already face packed timetables so need to be given time to fit it in.
Well done to Nationwide, this is a fantastic idea
Riz Malik, Independent Financial Adviser at Southend-on-Sea-based R3 Wealth, said the government needs to provide support to the scheme.
He added: “As a former chair of a multi-academy trust and a financial adviser, I find that the current curriculum lacks sufficient financial literacy education for young people.
“Nationwide deserves credit for pushing this forward, but real change will only happen if the government backs it and gives schools the capacity to teach it properly. Teachers already face packed timetables, so support and clear curriculum space are essential if this is to have a lasting impact.”
Rob Mansfield, Independent Financial Advisor at Tonbridge-based Rootes Wealth Management, praised the scheme.
He added: “Well done to Nationwide, this is a fantastic idea. I hope teachers are able to find the time to take the course and pass the skills on to the children. Financial literacy is so important because it affects life outcomes.
“I’d have liked to see more content around the long-term benefits of investing but maybe the Government can provide that to go with their aim of creating a long-term savings culture?”
A hugely positive step and one that’s long overdue
Michelle Lawson, Director at Fareham-based Lawson Financial, said knowledge of personal finance is a growing chasm.
She added: “This is great initiative to teach early. This should be expanded more widely to boost young people’s knowledge of personal finance. Because this lack of knowledge isn’t a gap, it’s a growing chasm that has a knock-on effect on so many things in life.”
Rita Kohli, Managing Director at The Mortgage Stop, said the scheme is particularly important for girls.
She added: “Nationwide’s initiative is a hugely positive step and one that’s long overdue. Financial education shouldn’t be an afterthought – it’s a life skill, just as important as reading or maths. Giving teachers the confidence and tools to talk about money in the classroom will help children build healthy financial habits from a young age.
“The reality is that many adults reach their 20s without understanding the basics of budgeting, debt, scams or how financial systems work. If we start these conversations earlier, we empower young people to make smarter decisions and potentially spark interest in careers within the financial sector.
“It’s also particularly important for girls. Historically, women have had less exposure and confidence around financial topics, so introducing these lessons early can help break down that barrier and create a generation that feels comfortable talking about money and managing it.”
