Bank on it is the first of four modules in the programme.
It teaches students aged 12–18 about banks and banking facilities, asking them to make decisions based on real-life situations.
It aims to help students think about banking, managing and borrowing money. It contains short video clips and interactive activities.
It supports students in both the 12 to 15 and the 15 to 18 age groups. There are five topics to work through. Topics 1, 2 and 3, ‘What do banks do’, ‘It’s your turn to get banking’ and ‘Balancing act’ are suitable for both age groups. Topics 4 and 5, ‘To borrow or not to borrow?’ and ‘Making your money work for you’, are primarily aimed at the 15 to 18 age group. However, more able or older students aged 12 to 15 could easily attempt the 15 to 18 activities.
In topic 1, What do banks do, students will consider the option of opening a bank account, they are introduced to the types of services offered by banks, and to the role and functions of banks in our daily lives.
Activities and discussions are based around three short video clips.
In the first one, Joe, 16, receives €100 for his birthday and considers his options – spend it, or open a bank account or keep the money at home.
Students work through Joe’s options online, decide on the best course of action and reply to an email from Joe asking for their advice.
The second video clip is a series of vox pops showing young people talking about banking and financial questions.
The 15 to 18 age group also offers a further activity where students debate services provided by banks.
Topic 2, It’s your turn to get banking, familiarises students with the procedures involved in using a range of banking facilities and products. It provides an opportunity for students to practise using a ‘virtual’ ATM, fill in application forms and paying-in slips and write cheques. They also learn about different types of cards and using an Internet banking system.
Topic 3, Balancing Act, is about understanding bank statements and making financial choices. Online activities provide students with example bank statements, they make a series of interactive choices about how they spend their money, work out their bank balance and receive some ‘top tips.’
Topic 4 and 5 are aimed primarily at the 15 to 18s.
In topic 4, To borrow or not to borrow, students are given a scenario about Becky, 21, who wants to buy a car and needs to borrow money. They consider her options and decide on her best course of action by replying to an email she has sent them asking for advice.
Topic 5, Making your money work for you, gets students to work with a budget sheet to record and monitor a series of spending options. The activity is based on a scenario where a 17 year old wants to go on holiday with a group of friends in six months time, and what financial choices will have to be made for them to afford to go.
At the end of the module, students are asked to complete a quiz relating to basic banking, budgeting and balancing. They can also revisit topics they haven’t yet fully grasped.
Comprehensive teachers’ notes are provided detailing lesson plans, activities, curriculum links and glossary. They also include key skills, activity sheets and print resources. Detailed timings are included on each topic.
You will need to register to access the teacher’s notes area of the website.