Pupils at The Royal School for the Deaf Derby have become the first in the UK to take part in a pioneering banking programme designed specifically to make financial education more accessible for deaf people.
Year nine pupils are taking part in a national pilot led by HSBC UK and the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID), helping shape the future of financial education resources for deaf students across the country.
Thanks to their input, the programme, part of HSBC UK’s Smart Money initiative, has been adapted to meet the communication needs of pupils who use British Sign Language (BSL), ensuring lessons about managing money, budgeting and banking are delivered in an accessible way.
Pupils completed six lessons through their PSHE timetable covering key financial topics including saving, budgeting, borrowing, credit and fraud awareness before putting their new knowledge into practice during a visit to HSBC’s Derby city centre branch.
The visit gave pupils the opportunity to see behind the scenes, including a tour of the vault, a demonstration of the money-counting machines and the chance to speak directly with staff about banking and financial services.
Year nine pupil Andrea said: “I loved going to the bank, it was so much fun. The staff are learning to sign and they wanted to practise with us, which was really nice.
“We saw inside the vault where they keep all the money and used the money-counting machine to count £1,000 in £20 notes.
“I’ve loved learning about money. It’s made me feel ready to be an adult and how to save up for a fast car one day.”
The project is also helping shape future financial education resources for deaf young people, with feedback from pupils and staff at The Royal School for the Deaf Derby being used to improve materials for British Sign Language users.
During the visit, HSBC colleagues also had the opportunity to practise their BSL skills with pupils, who even presented staff with their own sign names – a special honour that can only be given by a member of the deaf community.
Sophie Croshaw, head of science at The Royal School for the Deaf Derby, said: “Financial education is an essential life skill, but it’s important that deaf young people can access that learning in a way that reflects their communication needs.
“This programme is giving our pupils practical knowledge they’ll use throughout their lives, from understanding bank accounts to managing everyday finances with confidence.
“We’re incredibly proud to be part of this national pilot. Not only are our pupils benefiting from the programme today, but they’re also helping shape resources that could support deaf young people in the UK in the future.”
At the end of the visit each pupil was presented with a goody bag containing branded merchandise, including a water bottle, pens and a notebook.
Alistair Griffin, head of performance and delivery at HSBC UK, said: “Everyone should be able to access the knowledge and confidence they need to manage money in everyday life.
“We’re proud to pilot HSBC UK’s Smart Money lessons, adapted in partnership with the RNID and The Royal School for the Deaf, to support BSL students’ communication needs.
“The feedback from the pupils and staff will help us strengthen our resources and continue improving accessibility across HSBC UK as we roll out the programme, so more deaf young people can feel ready for the financial decisions they’ll face as they move into adulthood.”
The pilot also forms part of HSBC UK’s wider commitment to improving accessibility. Working with RNID, the bank has become the first in the UK to offer accredited British Sign Language training to all 23,000 of its employees, helping create a more inclusive experience for deaf customers nationwide.
Teri Deivine, associate director of inclusion at RNID, said: “This programme is a fantastic example of how accessible, tailored learning can help level the playing field for deaf young people.
“Many hearing children pick up knowledge about money and banking through everyday conversations at home, in shops, or by simply overhearing discussions around them. Deaf young people can often miss out on these informal learning opportunities because they do not have the same access to those background conversations and experiences.
“By delivering financial education in BSL and creating opportunities for direct engagement with banking professionals, this initiative helps ensure deaf young people can develop the same confidence, understanding and independence as their hearing peers.”
Headteacher Paul Burrows added: “This has been a fantastic opportunity for our pupils to gain valuable life skills while helping influence the future of financial education for deaf young people.
“We’re always looking to work with organisations that genuinely want to improve accessibility and inclusion and this partnership is a great example of what’s possible when organisations listen to the Deaf community.”
ENDS
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