The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment, the professional body which runs the Certified Financial Planner designation, has praised 300 school and college sixth form students for taking and passing its exams this year despite pandemic disruption.

This year 20 schools and colleges, including one in Dubai, offered CISI foundation qualifications to over 300 students with a combined pass rate of over 80% achieved.

The CISI said the results were “amazing” given a difficult academic year due to disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Most of the schools and colleges taking part took students through the CISI Level 2 Fundamentals of Financial Services qualification which provides foundation knowledge on the different types of firms, products, services and financial instruments in financial services.

The course covers the basics needed to consider a career in financial services.

Three students each from Reigate Grammar School, Brentwood School and St Edward’s School in Oxford achieved full marks in the CISI Level 2 qualification.

The students studied as part of an education programme sponsored by the CISI Educational Trust. In addition, a group of students were taught as part of an inaugural programme in Northern Ireland, in partnership with Derry and Strabane Council, and sat their exams in June.  

The institutions taking part included:

•               Ardingly College

•               Barking and Dagenham College

•               Brentwood School

•               Eastbourne College

•               Epsom College

•               Haybridge High School and Sixth Form

•               Queen Elizabeth Grammar School

•               Reigate Grammar School

•               Solihull School

•               Victoria College

The CISI, via its Educational Trust, has partnered with schools and colleges to offer CISI qualifications since 2007.  Educational establishments offer CISI qualifications as an “enrichment or enhancement option” to sixth-form students which can help pave the way to a career in financial services when leaving school or university.  

The CISI Educational Trust also facilitates education programmes around the UK for students who would not traditionally get the opportunity to learn about financial services.

Lora Benson, CISI head of media, said: “This year, more than ever, our congratulations and appreciation go to the students, teachers, parents and everyone who has supported these students during this extremely challenging academic year. These fantastic results are testament to the students’ hard work and their commitment to learning. A massive “well done” from CISI!”

The CISI is based in the City of London and has 43,000 members in over 100 countries.