PUPILS at a Wee County school can now take control of their finances, after launching a bank last week.

Children at Clackmannan Primary School last Thursday, January 19, launched their new Clackmannan Super Savers scheme after learning about money, banks, loans and interest rates.

They picked up some new skills during the school's Financial Fortnight earlier this month before launching the school-based financial co-operative in conjunction with Clackmannanshire Credit Union.

Around 100 families went along to the educational establishment last week, when parents had the chance to hear about what their kids have been up to from P7 pupils during an open event.

Acting principal teacher Lynsey Budge, explained last week: “All the children in the school have been learning about things to do with money and finance - starting with the little ones with counting money and recognising coins, then right up to the top of the school with budgeting and finding out about interest rates and what's the best place to borrow money, why you should or shouldn't borrow money.

“The P7 children have been learning about banks and banking and they have organised the bank which is being run together with the credit union.

“Yesterday (Thursday) they did a presentation for families and friends about it.

“Today was the first day that children could bring money to pay into the bank, so the children brought their application forms this morning and the P7 children took the money and banked it and issued them with savers books.

“Every Friday, the P7 children will open the bank and other children will be able to pay money into their accounts in the bank.

“They can withdraw money at any time, but it's about saving for a goal, so they might want to save for something special at the Easter holidays or they might want to save for something special in the summer holidays.”

The teacher said parents seemed really positive about the idea and it is understood the credit union is hoping to introduce similar schemes in more schools around the Wee County.

The idea proved popular, with more children bringing savings than expected on the first day.