We were delighted to welcome HSBC into school to work with our Year 4 and Year 5 pupils on an engaging financial education workshop.
The children explored what it means to be a "critical consumer" and thought carefully about the choices we make when spending money. They looked at examples of online offers, special deals, in-app purchases and advertising, and discussed why it is important not to assume that something is good value simply because it looks exciting or says it is on offer.
Pupils were encouraged to stop, think and ask questions such as:
Do I really need this?
Is this genuinely a good deal?
Could there be hidden costs?
Am I being persuaded to spend money quickly?
What happens if I keep making small in-app purchases?
Have I spoken to my parents about making a purchase?
This led to some thoughtful conversations about how easy it can be to spend money online without always realising how quickly those small amounts can add up.
The workshop also focused on budgeting. Pupils learned that a budget is a way of planning how money will be used, helping us to make decisions about what we can afford, what we might need to save for, and how to balance needs and wants. The children enjoyed thinking through different spending choices and considering how careful planning can help us make more responsible decisions.
Financial literacy is such an important life skill. Understanding money, recognising persuasive advertising, knowing how to budget and feeling confident enough to question a deal are all skills that children will increasingly need as they grow older. Developing these habits early can help pupils become more independent, thoughtful and responsible when making decisions about money.
The session linked particularly well to Global Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. Learning how money works, how to make informed financial decisions and how different jobs and industries contribute to the economy helps children begin to understand the wider world of work and their future place within it.
It was also a fantastic opportunity for pupils to learn more about careers in banking and financial services. The children were able to hear from the HSBC staff about the different roles within a bank and the range of skills that are useful in the sector, including communication, problem solving, maths, teamwork and decision making.
A huge thank you to HSBC for visiting us and helping our Year 4 and 5 pupils become more confident, critical and financially aware learners.
