In partnership with ng homes, Pollok Credit Union (PCU) is working with staff and students from two local schools, Saracen Primary School and St Teresa’s Primary, to run their successful school bank programme. The model has been run by PCU have been running successfully in the south side of Glasgow for several years.

Children from Primary 6 and above collect money brought in on ‘Credit Union Day’ (the day designated for paying into the credit union) by students and update passbooks, overseen by staff at the school. Each child who joins has their own passbook and wallet to keep their money in.

ng homes chair Catherine Rossine said “We’re delighted to see these school banks launch in North Glasgow. The initiative offers the opportunity for students to gain valuable skills – it was a joy to see the excitement both staff and students who were eager to get started!

“Well done to all the winners and we wish the new bank staff all the very best of luck as the school banks get underway.”

Pollok Credit Union chair Shaun Quinn added: “Pollok Credit Union would like to thank all the children that took part in the logo design competition and a massive well done to the winners with the standard of designs being extremely high.

“We are delighted to play a role alongside our partners at ng homes, Saracen Primary School and St Teresa’s Primary to equip young students with essential financial skills through the School Bank Programme. This initiative is a brilliant example of how practical, hands-on learning can play a pivotal role in empowering our young people for the future.”

A logo competition to design passbooks for each school was held in early February with hundreds of entries received from students across the two schools. The winning designs and those who were highly commended received their certificates and a prize at the end of February.

Excitement has been palpable at both schools over the last couple weeks, with students and staff coming together to launch the school banks.

Kirsten Jarvis, depute head teacher at Saracen Primary, said: “Saracen Primary are delighted to have opened our savings bank for pupils last week in conjunction with ng homes and Pollok Credit Union.

“Huge thanks to ng homes for their valuable support with the recruitment process, giving our pupils real life experience of applying for and attending an interview for a job. Our successful candidates received training from Pollok Credit Union and handled opening day with professionalism and enthusiasm with ng homes and PCU on hand to support the launch day, providing encouragement and gifts for the first 25 new account holders.

“We hope this opportunity will encourage a lifelong savings habit amongst our children and look forward to collaborating with ng homes on many other projects in the future.”

Julie McElhone, head teacher at St Teresa’s Primary agreed: “The positive partnerships between PCU, ng homes and St Teresa’s Primary has provided our pupils with valuable opportunities to develop their numeracy and meta-skills (transferable behaviours and abilities to pupils adapt and succeed) within a real-life context.”