For Teachers

Overview of programme

MoneySense for Schools is a programme from Natwest that aims to support young people aged 11–18 in learning how to manage their personal finances.

Delivered in four modules, the MoneySense programme covers such basics as how to open a bank account, how to manage money on a day to day basis, budgeting and how to run a business. Using the web and the classroom, the programme provides teachers with stimulating, easy to use lesson plans, activities and resources which all fit in with the National Curriculum.

General introduction - new window
(length 3.22 mins)

View a text version of 'General introduction' here - new window

Alongside this interactive online resource, the programme can also offer additional support for teachers wishing to offer their students the opportunity to learn about personal financial management. Members of the MoneySense team may be available to guide schools through an initial planning stage and to work in partnership with teachers to deliver the modules.
 
The four modules take the students through the basics of banking and financial management – from the decision to open a bank account for the first time through to managing money on a day-to-day basis as part of living independently away from home.

Each module is a complete ‘unit’ in its own right. Within each module a series of interactive activities leads the students through all the main elements of personal financial management.

To enable schools and teaching groups to use the resource flexibly to fit their timetable arrangements, each module has been further divided into topics. These topics follow a logical pathway, but can also be used as ‘one-offs’, for example if you are focusing on budgeting or account application procedures.

Teachers’ notes

Comprehensive teachers’ notes, including curriculum links, print resources and activity sheets are provided within each of the modules. You will be able to access these once you are registered. A certificate of completion is available for this activity in the print resource page on all links listed under item 2 ‘figures’ below

11-14	14 - 16	16 - 18
BANK ON IT	BANK ON IT	THE CREDIT FILE
WE'RE IN BUSINESS	WE'RE IN BUSINESS	MONEY FOR LIFE
THE CREDIT FILE	THE CREDIT FILE	PRINT RESOURCES
	MONEY FOR LIFE
	PRINT RESOURCES

If you are not yet registered, please complete a registration form. This automated process shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to complete.

You can also receive email updates when new materials such as interactive activities are added to the website.

Timings

The amount of time you decide to spend on the activities will be dictated by your school’s own timetable constraints. You may choose to run a series of sessions over three or four weeks as part of Business or Enterprise Education. Alternatively, you may decide to work with the materials for an hour or so once or twice a term.

More detailed timings are included with the teachers' notes on each topic. These are approximate times, and do not include any of the follow up extensions or homework activities. They do include discussion times if the activities suggest a discussion as part of the activity.

Activity sheets

The follow-up activity sheets can be printed out and used to reinforce learning either during or at the end of each module. They can be used as extension activities or as homework tasks. 

Quiz

At the end of each module the students are asked to complete a quiz. The questions all relate to the learning that has been undertaken throughout the module. As well as being fun, these quizzes can also act as an assessment tool. Students can find out how much they now know about basic banking, budgeting etc and can revisit activities they haven’t yet grasped.

Video clips

Each module includes some short video clips which can be used as a stimulus for introducing the module or a particular topic. The activities which follow the video clips are not dependent on the students having watched the footage, but the topics will be more alive and meaningful if they do. Ideally students should watch the video as a class. Follow-up comprehension questions on the video clips are also provided in the teacher’s notes relating to that particular topic.

Glossary

Definitions of words, phrases and concepts related to the activities are given in the Glossary. Teachers might also find it useful to read through the glossary to remind themselves of the meaning of key terms.

General technical requirement guidance

The MoneySense for Schools site has been designed to be accessible to as many people as possible. Further information on accessibility on the MoneySense site can be found here. The information includes instructions on how to alter the font type and size for improved visibility.

Some of the modules include short video clips and interactive activities. To view these you will need to have the latest version of the Flash player installed on your machine. Wherever this is required, a link like the one below is provided to help you.  

Download the Flash player (this will open in a new window).

Module overview videos

To help teachers get even more out of the programme, online training overviews of each modules are now available to watch. Click on the following links to find out more about MoneySense for Schools and each individual module:

MoneySense for Schools: a short film

This short film shows how two schools use MoneySense for Schools  to improve the financial capability of their students.

For a text version click here (this will open in a new window).

Download the Flash player (this will open in a new window).

View the video in Windows Media Player.

The RBS Guide to Personal Finance for Teachers

The RBS Guide to Personal Finance for Teachers was designed to support the effective teaching of personal finance education (PFE) in secondary schools in the UK. It provides advice and guidance on checking the effectiveness of PFE in your school, and some ideas of how and where is could be delivered in your school, along with a summary of the basic building blocks of personal finance capability that apply to everybody – including teachers.

Download a copy of The RBS Guide to Personal Finance for Teachers (PDF).

MoneySense interactive games

Each season one of our interactive games is featured on the homepage. This archive provides you with access to all the seasonal modules no matter what time of year it is.

Explore these fun interactive games with your students to initiate or reinforce work on personal finance.

Smart giving

Have you bought your presents yet?

Play this interactive game to plan your shopping this festive season. Can you stay within budget and get a present for everyone?

This module helps show how planning, saving and spending wisely is essential when buying presents for friends and family for either a festival or celebration.

For a text version click here (this will open in a new window).

Holiday planner

The true cost of a dream holiday

The Holiday Planner is an interactive game where you will go on a virtual dream holiday to Florida with £2000 to spend – but be careful, there are a lot of expenses to budget for. Can you make your money last the entire holiday?

This activity helps show how budgeting and planning what to spend is an important part of planning your holiday.

For a text version click here (this will open in a new window).

Download the Flash player (this will open in a new window).