Overview of the programme

Guided by teachers and students, the content has now been completely updated. The new website is even easier to navigate, and there are many new videos and interactive activities to suit different ages, abilities and learning styles, including those students with additional or special needs.

The content is divided into four modules:

• Managing your money
• Credit worthy
• Planning your future
• You're in business

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.

Students discuss the issues raised in the videos that accompany each module, explore a virtual bank, interact with real-life financial scenarios, practise filling in forms and other paper work, problem-solve and think about the sorts of life choices they may make and what the financial implications might be. They can even find out the costs involved in setting up a business and the key role that money plays in any new enterprise.

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 curriculum.

MoneySense for Schools supports teaching and learning in:

• Home economics
• Maths with financial capability
• business and enterprise

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 MoneySense programme is supported by the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment. Paul Gray, CCEA's Assistant Principal Officer for Financial Capability Post Primary says:

"Our young people today face an increasingly complex financial environment. This means there is a clear need to equip them with the knowledge, skills and competences they will need to make informed financial decisions throughout their lives.

We must meet the challenge of producing resources which are relevant and interesting, capturing the young person's imagination. The MoneySense resource manages to achieve this. Aligned with the NI Curriculum and piloted by teachers in Northern Ireland it presents a fresh look at the banking sector. Through its interactive and experiential online format it engages pupils right from the start, allowing them to lay strong financial foundations which they can build upon throughout their lives".