Money is finally getting a proper place in the classroom. The government has announced that by 2028, financial education will be compulsory in every primary and secondary school across England.
That means every child will get a proper grounding in how money really works, from pocket money and saving, to budgeting, loans and mortgages.
The idea is simple: help young people leave school ready for adult life, not just exams.
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What children will learn
Primary pupils will start with the basics. They’ll be taught where money comes from, why saving matters, and how to tell the difference between needs and wants.
They’ll also look at advertising, online spending, and even how to spot fake news.
By secondary school, lessons will go further. Teenagers will learn about interest, credit scores, debt, budgeting, payslips, and even how mortgages and rent work.
These money skills will form part of a new “citizenship” subject, alongside topics like democracy, climate change, and digital safety.
Why is it needed
It’s been a long time coming. Studies show that most young people leave school without ever being taught how to manage their money properly.
Many don’t know how interest works or what a credit score is until they’re faced with it.
That lack of knowledge can lead to costly mistakes later on, missed payments, high-interest debt, or simply not knowing how to save.
Experts have been calling for change for years, saying that financial confidence needs to start early.
Becky Francis, who led the government’s review, said money lessons were the number one request from parents and young people.
What others are saying
Money campaigners have welcomed the plans, though they warn it’ll take more than good intentions. Schools will need proper training, funding, and time in the timetable to make lessons work.
Louise Hill from GoHenry said, “We must ensure that money lessons form a compulsory part of the timetable, teacher training is delivered, expert resources provided, funding made available and that it’s assessed. We’ll one hundred percent take today’s news as a very welcome win, but the hard work starts now.”
And Naomi Willis, co-founder of Skint Dad, added: “We’ve heard from so many parents who wish they’d been taught about money at school. Giving children real-world money lessons early on can stop so many future problems, and it’s one of the best life skills they’ll ever learn.”
Part of a bigger classroom shake-up
The change is part of a wider revamp of the national curriculum, which will also bring climate education, digital literacy, and AI into schools.
Arts subjects like drama and music will have equal footing with maths and science, and every pupil will get access to sports, nature, and cultural experiences under a new “enrichment entitlement.”
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the aim is to help children “thrive in the modern world” and give every young person a fair start in life.
What it means for parents
For parents, it means you’ll no longer have to explain APRs or overdrafts over the kitchen table, at least not on your own. Kids will get a solid foundation at school, which families can then build on at home.
Skint Dad says: “For years, kids have left school knowing how to measure a triangle but not how to budget a pay packet. Teaching money early gives them confidence, and that’s something every family can build on.”
How to build on it at home
You don’t need to wait until 2028 to start. Here are a few free and easy resources to help children get confident with money now:
- NatWest Thrive – free interactive lessons, games and videos for ages 5–18.
- GoHenry Money Missions – bite-sized lessons about saving, budgeting and spending wisely.
- My Money Week (by Young Enterprise) – free annual event with classroom and home learning resources.
- BBC Bitesize Money – simple explainers and quizzes covering everything from savings to tax.
- MoneySavingExpert: Financial Education – a detailed free guide packed with lesson plans, videos and tools for parents and teachers.
- Skint Dad guides – practical articles on family budgeting, pocket money ideas and easy saving challenges.
You can start small: give children a set amount to plan a food shop, show them how to compare prices, or set up a simple savings goal. Little habits like these make a big difference over time.
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