Endeavour Academy in Peterlee achieves prestigious Centre of Excellence status for Financial Education
Endeavour Academy in Peterlee, County Durham is celebrating a prestigious national achievement after being recognised as a Centre of Excellence in Financial Education by Young Enterprise, the UK’s leading financial and enterprise education charity.
This national accreditation is a significant endorsement of the school’s commitment to excellence, recognising the dedication of its staff and the positive impact of its work in preparing young people for life beyond the classroom.
The recognition celebrates Endeavour Academy’s commitment to empowering young people with the practical skills, knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions, embrace future opportunities and build brighter futures. It is also a moment of pride for Peterlee, shining a spotlight on the exceptional work taking place within the local community to inspire young people, raise aspirations and equip the next generation with the tools they need to thrive.
The Centre of Excellence programme is a whole-school improvement initiative that recognises and strengthens high-quality financial education. It helps schools identify pupils’ learning needs, embed financial education meaningfully across the curriculum, and equip teachers with the knowledge, skills and confidence to deliver learning that makes a lasting difference.
For Endeavour Academy, achieving this status celebrates the dedication, creativity and collaboration of its staff and wider school community, recognising the importance placed on giving every young person the opportunity to develop essential life skills and build a positive relationship with money.
Kerrie Whelan, Headteacher of Endeavour Academy, said:
“The Centre of Excellence programme has been a journey of reflection, collaboration and creativity. It has enabled us to showcase and further enhance the excellent work already taking place across Endeavour Academy, while creating new opportunities to embed meaningful financial education across the whole curriculum.
We are incredibly proud to receive this recognition, It reflects the commitment of our staff and the wider school community to ensuring our young people develop the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to make informed decisions and succeed in life.
Education is about opening doors and helping young people recognise their potential, and financial education is a vital part of that journey, giving our pupils practical skills they can carry with them long after they leave school. We are excited to build on this achievement and continue creating opportunities that inspire our young people to aim high, believe in themselves and shape their own futures.”
Financial education has the power to transform lives, by helping young people understand budgeting, saving, spending and financial decision-making, schools can support them to become more independent, resilient and confident as they navigate an increasingly complex world.
Accredited Centres of Excellence are at the forefront of this work, demonstrating how meaningful financial education can create opportunities for young people while contributing to stronger, more financially capable communities.
Endeavour Academy now joins a prestigious national network of more than 125 Centres of Excellence across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Together, these schools champion the potential of young people, helping them discover their strengths, develop their skills and become positive role models within their schools and communities.
Melissa Garrett, Programme Manager for Centres of Excellence at Young Enterprise, added:
“Achieving Centre of Excellence status reflects the commitment of Endeavour’s whole school community to making financial education a meaningful and lasting part of your young people’s learning. It has been a privilege to observe Endeavour go through the accreditation process and to see the dedication of its staff recognised. Congratulations on this fantastic achievement.”
Endeavour Academy’s accreditation marks an important milestone in its ongoing commitment to delivering an education that extends beyond academic achievement, placing practical life skills, personal development and future opportunities at the heart of the school experience.
By championing financial education and helping young people build the confidence to make informed choices, Endeavour Academy is demonstrating the positive difference schools can make, not only to individual pupils, but to families and communities across Peterlee and beyond.
This national recognition is a testament to the ambition of the school, the dedication of its staff and its belief in the potential of every young person to achieve more, become a positive role model and build a brighter future.
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