Academy earns financial education accolade

A County Durham school has gained national recognition for helping young people develop the financial skills and confidence needed to navigate life beyond the classroom.

Endeavour Academy, an alternative provision school in Peterlee for Key Stage 4 pupils, has been awarded Centre of Excellence in Financial Education status by Young Enterprise, a national charity supporting financial and enterprise education.

The accreditation recognises the academy’s commitment to teaching practical money management skills, including budgeting, saving, spending and making informed financial decisions.

It follows the school’s participation in Young Enterprise’s Centre of Excellence programme, which helps schools identify pupils’ learning needs, strengthen financial education across the curriculum and equip teachers with the skills to deliver it effectively.

Endeavour Academy now joins a national network of more than 125 accredited centres across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Kerrie Whelan, headteacher at Endeavour Academy, said: “The Centre of Excellence programme has been a journey of reflection, collaboration and creativity. 

“It has enabled us to showcase and further enhance the excellent work already taking place across Endeavour Academy, while creating new opportunities to embed meaningful financial education across the whole curriculum.

“We are incredibly proud to receive this recognition.

“It reflects the commitment of our staff and the wider school community to ensuring our young people develop the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to make informed decisions and succeed in life.

“Education is about opening doors and helping young people recognise their potential, and financial education is a vital part of that journey, giving our pupils practical skills they can carry with them long after they leave school.”

The recognition highlights the academy’s wider approach to education, combining academic learning with personal development and practical skills to help pupils prepare for future opportunities.

Through its financial education work, the school aims to build independence, resilience and confidence among young people, helping them develop a positive relationship with money.

Melissa Garrett, programme manager for Centres of Excellence at Young Enterprise, added: “Achieving Centre of Excellence status reflects the commitment of Endeavour’s whole school community to making financial education a meaningful and lasting part of your young people’s learning.

“It has been a privilege to observe Endeavour go through the accreditation process and to see the dedication of its staff recognised. 

“Congratulations on this fantastic achievement.”

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