Why aren’t we teaching kids about tax, rent, and credit cards?. For many pupils, financial literacy is still a mystery by the time they leave primary school. Here’s how one headteacher turned lockdown panic into a powerful life-skills resource:

📰 Want to read the full story of how it all began, and why financial literacy must become a priority in primary schools?. Read the complete article in our latest issue of FOCUS magazine:.

This is financial education designed by teachers, for teachers. Rooted in experience. Driven by necessity. And focused on the skills that last a lifetime, not just a term.

Over time, the resource grew, not just as a classroom activity, but a fully fledged programme: On The Money Education™. It’s now been used in schools across the country, helping pupils understand how money works before they face it alone.

It wasn’t about scaring them. It was about equipping them. Giving them the confidence to face life’s inevitable curveballs with knowledge, clarity, and a cool head.

They ran through real-life scenarios:. - Boiler breakdowns.- Late payment charges.- Car problems.- Income changes.- What to cut, what to keep, and what to prioritise. And crucially, they did it in a safe, relatable environment.

The result was a classroom full of 10 and 11-year-olds making financial decisions, budgeting together, and learning what it really means to be an adult. Children took on roles like ‘the saver’, ‘the spender’, and ‘the worrier’.

So he got to work. With his TA and curriculum lead, they started designing Year 6 lessons that every child would need to know. 💷 Paying rent.💡 Bills and utilities.🚗 Insurance, repairs, fines.📉 Unexpected costs.🧾 Tax and debt.

He cast his mind back:. - Confused about PAYE at 18.- Shocked by his first wage slip.- Mystified by National Insurance.- Baffled by Stamp Duty.- Unsure how to budget or save. Why weren’t these basic life skills part of his school experience?.

Rob Johnson, headteacher and founder of On The Money Education™, realised this was a unique opportunity. “I had this moment of panic,” he says. Then came the bigger question:. Why weren’t we already teaching this?.

When schools closed in early 2020, Year 6 pupils missed SATs and gained a window for something more meaningful. No formal guidance. No national direction. So teachers made a bold decision:. Prepare children for real life instead.

We believe early, effective RSHE makes children:. 💪 Safer.🧠 More confident.🤝 More respectful.🎯 Better prepared for whatever lies ahead. And with the right support, schools can deliver this with clarity and confidence.

🏫 At 1decision, we’re already responding. We are:. ✔️ Updating our full RSHE curriculum to align with the 2026 guidance.✔️ Creating time-saving, short-form lessons for busy teachers.✔️ Embedding safeguarding, inclusivity, and evidence at every level.

💡 RSHE will continue to be inspected as part of your personal development and safeguarding provision. So it’s not just about content, it’s about how well pupils understand, retain and apply what they’ve learned.

📌 What the DfE expects from schools:. A written RSHE policy (on your website or by request). Thoughtfully sequenced lessons. Confident, skilled delivery. Teaching that reflects your community’s needs. Inclusion at the heart of everything.

👨‍👩‍👦 Parental engagement is now non-negotiable. Schools must:. Consult parents on RSHE policy. Share materials on request. Respect the right to withdraw from sex ed (excluding science). Transparency builds trust (especially around sensitive topics).

🔑 Key primary updates in the 2026 guidance:. Relationships: Understanding positive vs unsafe relationships. Being Safe: Consent, body autonomy, reporting concerns. Online Safety: Boundaries, respectful behaviour, harmful contact. Kindness & Respect: Assertiveness, tackling.

⚠️ Why these changes matter:. Children today need more than facts - they need practical, age-appropriate skills to stay safe, build healthy relationships, and make ethical decisions. RSHE plays a key role in developing resilience, kindness and self-worth.

This isn’t a small update. It’s a shift toward clearer expectations, stronger safeguarding, and teaching that reflects modern challenges, especially those faced online. 1decision is already updating our resources to help schools stay ahead.

New RSHE guidance is coming. From September 2026, all primary schools in England will be expected to meet updated DfE requirements for Relationships, Sex and Health Education. Here’s what’s changing, and how to prepare effectively . 👇