YEAR 10 students at Thomas Keble School have been getting to grips with the world of finance ahead of a planned ‘money-saving surgery’ event next month.

The pupils, who have been receiving lessons on money management, will host the community event along with the Stroud Credit Union and the district’s Citizens Advice Bureau on the evening of February 5.

Last month, students met with representatives from the CAB and the credit union to plan the event as part of a day dedicated to learning more about personal finance.

The day of activities on Thursday, December 19, was organised after Thomas Keble School became one of the first in the country to sign up to a free programme run by the banking group Santander and the UK’s leading financial education charity pfeg (Personal Finance Education Group).

Educational specialists from the charity also worked with the students to plan next month's money-saving surgery.

"We are putting on an evening for parents as parents and children need to work together to develop an understanding of the difference between needs and wants so that children don't demand things their parents cannot afford,” explained Year 10 pupil Lucy Tuffin.

Michelle Dempsey, head of Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE) education at the school, said: “Teaching our students about personal finance has never been more important as it is now.

“They need to be educated about managing their finances and risks that they may face in life.

“Finance will play an important part in their lives and in achieving their aspirations and it is essential that they understand this."