During March 2013 young people at Longfield Academy aged 14-15 received a full-day programme called Money Twist, specifically aimed at Key Stage 4 learners
Money Twist approaches financial capability in a hands-on manner as young people debate, play games, watch video case studies and involve physical activity in their learning. Participants are encouraged to give their own views and critically analyse various financial problems that people are faced with, as well as considering their own financial futures.
The workshops are designed to get young people thinking and caring about their finances, both now and in their short and long-term futures.
Money Twist is based on the Every Child Matters, Ofsted and PSHEE guidelines on financial literacy and maps into aspects of the PSHEE, Citizenship, Maths and English curriculum. It is ideal for financial capability focus days, enterprise weeks or can be built into a lesson plan over a number of weeks.
The Money Twist programme designed for KS4 learners is delivered in 3 sessions…
- My Money: Payslips, tax, national insurance, government spending, minimum wage and careers
- My Choices: Needs and wants, choices and lifestyle, budgeting, shopping deals and saving
- My Future: Interest, current and savings accounts, flow of money, ethical choices and forms of payment.
Feedback from the pupils was excellent….here’s how their confidence and skills improved over the day:
42% increase in pupils understanding of three realistic ways to save money
72% increase in pupils understanding of what deductions are made from a person’s payslip
52% increase in pupils ability to prioritise their needs and wants
The pupils said about Money Twist
“After today I will feel a lot confident because I know how to save money and I know what type of job I need. I also know how much I should expect to get paid” – Wayne, 14
“It was really fun, I learnt a lot thanks, learnt a lot of new skills” – Nathan, 15
“The MyBnk workshop helps us for when we’re older by saving money now and not spending as much; it’s useful” – Ben, 15
“Good programme, well delivered and very informative” – Miss Anna O’Shaughnessy, Curriculum Leader at Longfield Academy, Darlington