Browse resources by topic

How to open a bank account

Suitable for key stage 3 (students aged 11-13)

This lesson explores the purpose of having a bank account. Students learn how to set up a bank account and investigate the pros and cons of different accounts.

1. Explain why it’s important to have a bank account
2. Identify what is needed to set up a bank account
3. Analyse the advantages and disadvantages of different bank accounts

How to read a bank statement

Suitable for key stage 3 (students aged 11-13)

Students learn how to read a bank statement and evaluate ways to track finances

1. Describe the purpose of a bank statement
2. Analyse the key elements of a bank statement
3. Evaluate the different methods for tracking finances

How to save money

Suitable for key stage 3 (students aged 11-13)

This lesson explores why and how people can save money. Students then apply their learning by creating a savings plan.

1. Identify reasons why people need to save money
2. Assess different methods of saving money
3. Create a savings plan

How to use a bank card

Suitable for key stage 3 (students aged 11-13)

In this lesson students learn about the differences between debit and credit cards, how credit cards work and ways to make informed spending decisions.

1. Describe the difference between a debit and credit card
2. Compare credit card payment options
3. Demonstrate how to make conscious spending decisions

A guide to banking

Suitable for key stage 3 (students aged 11-13)

Students apply their learning by creating a guide to inform other young people about key things that they should know about banking.

1. Explain key concepts related to banking, saving and spending

Mobile phone products

Suitable for all ages

Students compare the value of different mobile phone contracts and how to make sound financial choices.

1. Identify the costs and requirements of having a mobile phone contract
2. Compare different mobile phone contracts
3. Suggest strategies to manage mobile phone costs

Borrowing

Suitable for all ages

This topic looks at the differences between good and bad debt, and explores a variety of borrowing options including Buy Now Pay Later.

1. Recognise situations that can lead to people being in debt
2. Analyse the benefits and risks of borrowing money
3. Assess the best borrowing option given different loan products

Credit cards

Suitable for key stage 5 (students aged 16-18)

Students learn how credit cards work, assess different options available and weigh up the risks and benefits of credit cards.

1. Explain what a credit card is
2. Describe how a credit card works
3. Assess the benefits and risks of using a credit card

How to use a bank card

Suitable for key stage 3 (students aged 11-13)

In this lesson students learn about the differences between debit and credit cards, how credit cards work and ways to make informed spending decisions.

1. Describe the difference between a debit and credit card
2. Compare credit card payment options
3. Demonstrate how to make conscious spending decisions

How to manage debt

Suitable for key stage 4 and 5 (students aged 16-18)

This lesson looks at reasons why people may end up in debt, and students assess a range of borrowing options.

1. Explain the difference between good and bad debt
2. Describe how borrowing works and different forms of borrowing

Spending decisions

Suitable for all age groups

This lesson offers insights into needs, wants and priorities as well as personal and external influences that affect spending decisions.

1. Distinguish the difference between financial needs and wants
2. Assess personal and external influences affecting spending decisions
3. Evaluate how spending decisions may impact the environment and other people

Budgeting

Suitable for all age groups

Students will learn what a budget is, why budgeting is important and how to analyse a budget before setting their own savings goals.

1. Describe what a budget is and why it is important
2. Analyse budgets, looking at income and expenses
3. Set budgeting goals and plan for the future

Budgeting for the future

Suitable for all age groups

Students will understand the purpose of budgeting and complete a practical exercise to apply a budgeting framework to needs, wants and future spending.

1. Describe the differences between financial needs and wants
2. Explain the purpose of budgeting
3. Apply a budgeting framework to needs, wants and future spending

The critical consumer

Suitable for all age groups

Students explore various pressures that influence spending decisions before diving into what makes adverts persuasive.

1. Describe pressures that influence spending and ways to make informed spending choices
2. Analyse what makes a persuasive advertisement
3. Create and advert using persuasive techniques

Cryptocurrency: Year 9

Suitable for all ages
Understand what cryptocurrencies are and how they compare with traditional money.

1. Explain what cryptocurrency is and how it compares with traditional money
2. Assess the factors that influence financial decisions
3. Suggest ways to engage with crypto assets while managing risk

Cryptocurrency: Year 12

Suitable for key stage 5 (students aged 16-18)
This topic explores how cryptocurrency compares with traditional money and the risks associated with cryptocurrencies.

1. Recognise the influence of social media and my peers on my financial decisions
2. Describe key historical crypto events

Entrepreneurship

Suitable for key stage 4 and 5 (students aged 14-18)

Students explore what it looks like to be an entrepreneur and practise the necessary skills required to be an entrepreneur.

1. Define what it means to be an an entrepreneur
2. Assess the pros and cons of entrepreneurship vs other jobs
3. Practise the enterprise skills needed to be an entrepreneur

Take-home pay

Suitable for key stage 4 and 5 (students aged 14-18)

This session explains what is included in a payslip. Students also explore and calculate income tax for different salary bands.

1. Describe the main salary deductions
2. Identify and explain key elements of a payslip
3. Calculate income tax for different job salaries

The economy

Suitable for key stage 4 and 5 (students aged 14-18)

Students learn about key features of the economy from the principles of scarcity to how interest rates and inflation affect people's everyday lives.

1. Describe what is meant by the economy
2. State the government’s main economic objectives
3. Explain how decisions about the economy affect people and their lives

The impact of inflation

Suitable for key stage 3 and 4 (students aged 11-16)

This session teaches students what inflation is, how it’s measured and how inflation affects people’s everyday lives.

1. Describe what inflation is and how it is measured
2. Calculate how budgets are affected by inflation
3. Explain how inflation can affect people’s cost of living

Insurance

Suitable for key stage 4 and 5 (students aged 14-18)

Students learn how risk relates to insurance, before exploring different types of insurance and applying learning to decision-making activities.

1. Describe the relationship between risk and insurance
2. Identify different types of insurance plans and key features of insurance plans
3. Compare and assess different insurance products

Long-term investing

Suitable for key stage 4 and 5 (students aged 14-18)

This lesson explores key investment concepts (risk vs reward, diversification and compound interest) with students applying their knowledge to advise.

1. Describe what investing is and what I can invest in
2. Explain the differences between shares and bonds
3. Recognise the factors that will affect people’s risk profiles

Investing simulation

Suitable for key stage 4 and 5 (students aged 16-18)

Students take on the role of a financial advisor making investment decisions for their character. They then learn how different factors affect investments through a simulation activity.

1. Apply an investment strategy (low-, medium- or high-risk) to calculate how an investment portfolio changes over time due to external events

Getting a job

Suitable for key stage 3 (students aged 11-14)

Explore different types of jobs and ways of working. The lesson ends with students’ having an opportunity to determine what kind of work they’d like for their future.

1. Recognise and define important words related to the job market
2. Assess different ways of making money
3. Evaluate what kind of work would be best for me in the future

Speaking up at work

Suitable for key stage 4 and 5 (students aged 15-18)

Students will learn to recognise different pay related issues that may arise in the workplace and ways to resolve them.

1. Identify different pay-related issues
2. Demonstrate the skills to stand up for rights at work
3. Explain sources of support

Understanding gig work and your rights

Suitable for key stage 4 and 5 (students aged 14-18)

Students learn how the gig economy has changed over time, including the financial vulnerabilities associated with gig work, as well as rights awarded to gig workers [in the UK/England].

1. Describe changes to the gig work economy
2. Understand workers' rights and how they relate to the gig economy
3. Assess the protection of workers' rights in the gig economy

City careers

Suitable for key stage 4 and 5 (students aged 14-18)

This lesson offers insights into a variety of city-based jobs and the advantages and disadvantages of these jobs for different types of people.

1. Describe a variety of City-based jobs
2. Assess the advantages and disadvantages of different types of City-based hobs
3. Evaluate the most appropriate job roles given personal values, objectives and skills

Financial exploitation

Suitable for all age groups

Students explore the effects of financial exploitation, including what money mules are, ways to protect themselves and how to recognise signs of exploitation.

1. Identify situations where young people are vulnerable to exploitation
2. Explain the impact of financial exploitation
3. Rehearse strategies to respond to unwanted pressures

Online gaming

Suitable for key stage 3 (students aged 11-13)

This lesson explores the costs of in-app gaming, including a maths moment converting gaming currencies, and ways to manage spending when gaming.

1. Identify and calculate how the cost of online gaming can escalate
2. Explain what can be done to manage spending when gaming
3. Evaluate recommendations made to help young people manage their spending when gaming

Online safety

Suitable for all age groups

Students learn to recognise different types of online scams and ways to identify and avoid them.

1. Describe reasons for the changes in the rate of online scams
2. State the impact that online scams have
3. Identify online scams and ways to avoid them

Mortgages

Suitable for all age groups

1. Describe what a mortgage is
2. Analyse the mortgage application process
3. Suggest possible financial behaviours to prepare for the mortgage application process

Renting and buying property

This lesson explores the costs of in-app gaming, including a maths moment converting gaming currencies, and ways to manage spending when gaming.

1. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of renting and buying
2. Explain different elements of the renting and buying processes
3. Assess whether renting or buying might be better in some circumstances compared to others

How to save money

Suitable for key stage 3 and 4 (students aged 11-16)

This lesson explores why and how people can save money. Students then apply their learning by creating a savings plan.

1. Identify reasons why people need to save money
2. Assess different methods of saving money
3. Create a savings plan

Pensions

Suitable for key stage 5 (students aged 16-18)

Student will learn about different types of pensions and evaluate the benefits of having a pension.

1. Describe what a pension is
2. Identify the different types of pensions that exist and how they work
3. Explain the benefits of paying into a pension

ISAs

Suitable for key stage 5 (students aged 16-18)

This lesson covers the benefits and drawbacks of saving, and deep dives into a range of Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) with students assessing which ISA account may best suit different people.

1. Explain what ISAs are and how they work
2. Describe different types of ISAs
3. Identify the best ISA options for different people’s financial goals

Student finance

Suitable for key stage 5 (students aged 16-18)

Student dive deeper into mortgages, credit cards and ISAs by comparing different financial products ,and deciding which product may suit different people in varying situations.

1. Describe what a student loan is and why people choose to take a student loan out
2. Explain how an individual would pay back a student loan in the future
3. Identity the steps needed to make a student finance application