The Brilliant Club – a UK charitable organisation that aims to widen access to highly-selective universities for young students from underrepresented backgrounds – works with PhD researchers to teach a range of educational programmes to students aged 8-18 in state schools across the UK. This academic year, they aim to work with 25,000 students.
From March until July 2021, Kleinwort Hambros’ co-designed course “What is Money?” will be taught to students aged 11-13 in schools across the country. It will be delivered as part of the Brilliant Club’s Scholars Programme which consists of seven university-style tutorials taught by a PhD tutor, either in-person or virtually, and an academic assignment. Students who take part in The Scholars Programme are almost twice as likely to progress to a highly selective university (according to UCAS evaluation, 2019).
The course will introduce students to the fundamental principles of money, its value, how it has evolved and how it continues to evolve. This will go beyond the current Key Stage 3 curriculum, helping students to better understand finance whilst also introducing them to principles that will help them to manage their own finances.
The course represents Kleinwort Hambros’ first venture of their partnership with The Brilliant Club. By working closely with local communities and organisations to make higher-level learning more accessible through initiatives such as this course, Kleinwort Hambros is seeking to pave the way for the next generation of colleagues, clients and thought-leaders, in continuation of its shared responsibility in making society and its institutions fairer and more diverse.
Paul Kearns, head of banking and credit solutions at Kleinwort Hambros and co-designer of the course commented: “The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on young people’s education, with school closures and home learning accentuating the gaps that exist within education and in the routes to accessing future careers.
“In working with The Brilliant Club, we are helping to close this gap. By bringing together students from underrepresented schools, university academics and industry practitioners, we are pooling knowledge and opening opportunities. As a leading, responsible bank, we have a shared commitment in making a better future for our society and communities.”
Anne-Marie Canning MBE, CEO of The Brilliant Club, said: “We would like to thank Kleinwort Hambros for helping to support young people from underrepresented backgrounds to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to study and succeed at a highly-selective university. As students continue to face significant challenges due to the pandemic, we must find ways to nurture the next generation, so they have the best chance of realising their potential. Together, through our partnership, we will support and inspire students through education and make a lasting difference on their futures.”