A Bradford academy is one of four schools in the country to enter a national programme to become a centre of excellence in financial education.

Santander and the UK’s leading financial education charity, pfeg (Personal Finance Education Group) have teamed up for the initiative which will see 40 secondary schools transformed into centres of excellence in financial education.

Four schools have already signed up to the free programme which will enable thousands of secondary school students to gain the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to manage their money.

The charity’s educational specialists will work with the schools to create a detailed programme of financial education, and work with teachers to integrate the teaching of personal finance into the school curriculum. Teachers will be trained in the delivery of effective personal finance lessons and learning activities.

Delivered by pfeg and funded by Santander, the three-year partnership represents a significant expansion of the charity’s Centres of Excellence programme, which is creating a network of best practice schools to improve financial education for young people.

Shirley Watson, principal at Dixons City Academy said: “Business Education and Finance has a long tradition at Dixons City Academy and is an important part of our academic and pastoral curriculum. We are delighted to take part in this programme and become a Centre of Excellence in financial education as we believe it will further enhance and embed this important aspect of education.”