Rhiannon Byers, a volunteer with Quaker Social Action, joined us for a presentation about her recent post-graduate research into the third sector’s delivery of financial education in English schools.
During the summer of 2020, Rhiannon interviewed charity workers working in financial education, and explored the relationships between charities, schools, policymakers and funders.
Rhiannon’s talk covered the policy and academic context, the research process, and her key findings. These included five themes that may be influencing charities’ practices and the first map of the financial education policy network.
The talk concluded with a discussion of possible recommendations for the sector.
Presentation slides can be accessed in the adjacent event info box.
About Rhiannon Byers
Rhiannon is a part-time volunteer with QSA, supporting with their evaluation of recent financial education projects. During 2020 Rhiannon completed her MA in Mathematics Education at Kings College London whilst on a full-time sabbatical from work, graduating in the autumn. Her MA involved studying topics such as role of education in society, the pedagogy of mathematics education, and a research project into financial education in UK schools.
Her interests in financial and mathematics education fostered over a decade has led her to volunteer with a number of charities working with children and young people in these areas. Rhiannon has spent the majority of her professional career since 2009 at the UK's financial services regulator responsible for consumer protection, the Financial Conduct Authority, where she continues to lead teams and projects. She is also currently a volunteer consultant with the Cranfield Trust, a not-for-profit providing free management support to UK charities.
About Made of Money
Since 2005, QSA’s Made of Money team has developed and delivered pioneering financial capability programmes in east London and beyond. We work with both groups and individuals, often in school settings.
Rhiannon volunteered with us in early 2020, providing valuable support for our project with parents in Islington primary schools. Based on our experience, we believe her research gives an interesting insight into the delivery of financial education in schools, and will provide an excellent starting point for enabling further conversations about understanding and developing this area of work.