Free, Flexible Game For Kids - Skills 4 Bills

Transcription

1 The free, financially friendly game for Key Stage 2 students The pfeg Quality Mark shows that this resource meets the pfeg quality standards. At the time of issue the resource contains educational benefits and accurate financial information. For further information visit

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3 The free, financially friendly game for Key Stage 2 students Contents 3. ABOUT THE GAME 4. HITTING THE SPOT FOR THE CURRICULUM 5. HOW THE GAME WORKS 6. WHAT THE STUDENTS SAY 7. ENDORSEMENTS 8. ABOUT US 9. CONTACT US 2

4 ABOUT THE GAME The aim of the game is to provide students with an awareness of the financial commitments and decisions they will face during their lives, and to help make the students aware of the consequences of finding themselves in debt. It is aimed at Key Stage 2 students and is an experiential way of teaching them money skills. Our hope is that the game helps to develop an understanding of the financial and economic dimensions of life and fosters a sense of personal responsibility when dealing with financial affairs. The students who have played Skills 4 Bills so far at various primary schools in the Midlands and Kent have taken some very valuable skills away and have also thoroughly enjoyed playing the game. The initiative does not cost the schools anything and is run by our wonderful team of employees who get great benefit from interacting with the students and sharing their knowledge and experience. Students learning about real things and responsibility are two cornerstones of our curriculum. The Skills 4 Bills game fits this philosophy perfectly and is a wonderful opportunity for students to gain hands on experience and a greater awareness about financial planning, a skill they will need for the rest of their lives. Head Teacher Shipston Primary School, Warwickshire 3

5 HITTING THE SPOT FOR THE CURRICULUM KEY STAGE 2 After playing Skills 4 Bills, Key Stage 2 students will: Begin to understand the concept of credit Recognise household expenses and regular financial commitments Understand keeping money safe by putting it into an account Understand that they may need to save if there isn t enough money for everything they want to buy Begin to be able to plan and think ahead Learn how to prioritise when there is a limited supply of money Understand the difference between good debt (planned and manageable) and bad debt (unplanned or unmanageable) Learn that their decisions can have individual, social and environmental consequences Understand the benefits of saving by learning how to look after money Develop an understanding that financial circumstances and standards of living can vary across time and place Learn numeracy skills Learn how to negotiate 4

6 HOW THE GAME WORKS Resources required 9 tables with chairs set in a horseshoe formation and 12 people to run the game Duration approximately 90 minutes (but this is flexible depending on student participation). Each student is allocated a job sheet which includes the qualifications required and the relevant salary. They go to each table in turn, most of which are compulsory, starting with the taxman. They then have the opportunity to purchase accommodation with associated living costs, transport, holiday and entertainment. This also includes an Events desk where they may be allocated a hidden expense or receive a bonus of some form. At the Accountant s desk, their monthly spend is totalled and if they are in debt, they have a monthly payment plan set up. If they are in credit, this money is added on to the salary for the next month. They then play the game for a second time but this time keeping a track of their balance as they go round. Discussions take place with the students at the end of each round on how to manage their money and to encourage saving. When they have finished the game all the students get a certificate 5

7 WHAT THE STUDENTS SAY Watch your budget, don t skip school, work out what you spend Elka I have learnt that spending money has a price when you have to pay for tax and food and I have also learnt that I have to save money Anna Don t spend over your budget and get a better job by getting good GCSEs David I have learnt not to spend my money in bad ways on sweets and drink and chocolate and quad bikes Shea Spend your money wisely and save some so the next month you can treat yourself Louis It is important to keep a track record of what you have spent and saved. Also never spend all your money in one go Jordan I learnt that I should not spend my money on a nice car and should learn to spend it on more wise things like house and bills. Thank you Daniel Dear Emma and Friends, thank you for coming and teaching us about saving money and not getting into debt Sinead It gave me an idea of what I want to be when I grow up. I enjoyed playing the game because it was teaching me about money. I learnt that I can t just spend money otherwise I ll be in debt Briony Through this workshop I have learnt not to waste your money on un-needed things like Palaces and Castles, but to have some fun too. I have really enjoyed this experience and I am very thankful for your visit Lauran This event taught me not to spend money like it grows on trees. It has also taught me to buy what I need. I will save for the rest of my life Reece I have learnt that you don t have to spend too much money to have a good life and that washing machines can break down but it s not your fault Jess 6

8 ENDORSEMENTS CSA The Credit Services Association (CSA) is the only national trade association in the UK for businesses specialising in debt recovery, tracing and related services. One of the key aims of the CSA is to develop and uphold the highest professional standards across the credit industry. It achieves this by setting standards via a Code of Practice for, and providing compliance guidance to, its Members to ensure that such standards are widely adhered to. The CSA is delighted to support and endorse Skills 4 Bills. The key to any great initiative is simplicity and Skills 4 Bills is simple, yet highly effective. The school students we saw playing the game, very quickly understood what they had to achieve and made some very rational and also entertaining decisions! At the same time they drew sobering parallels to their own lives and instances that they were aware their parents had dealt with which they hadn t previously been able to put into context. When a Trade Association considers endorsing an initiative like this it has to be straightforward enough for other member firms to adopt and deliver in their own region, with minimum resource from either the originator, the Trade Association, or a third party. Skills 4 Bills materials are simple yet efficient - seeing the game run once is enough to understand how it needs to be delivered. We look forward to seeing how this initiative progresses in the industry. PFEG pfeg (Personal Finance Education Group) is the UK s leading organisation helping schools to plan and teach children and young people how to manage their money now and in the future. pfeg s mission is to support education providers in giving children and young people the skills, knowledge and confidence to manage money by influencing policy and practice, supporting educators in teaching money matters with confidence and providing education resources that will engage and inspire. They have awarded the Skills 4 Bills game with the pfeg Quality Mark, signifying to teachers that the resource has been assessed by independent experts to ensure educational quality, financial accuracy and impartiality in the subject of managing money and debt. 7

9 ABOUT US Skills 4 Bills is an initiative run by Cabot Credit Management, the UK s leading ethical acquirer and manager of consumer debt, which is the parent company for Apex Credit Management Limited and Cabot Financial (Europe) Limited. The initiative was started in 2011 as part of the company s Work in the Community programme and has successfully been rolled out to several schools in the Midlands and Kent. BUSINESS VISION Create long-term, sustainable value through effective partnerships, founded on ethical principles and continuous innovation. OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES Engage our people in our shared vision and values Display transparency, openness and trust in all that we do Treat our customers responsibly and fairly, working with them to develop sustainable solutions Build upon our existing reputation for professionalism, compliance and exceptional service delivery Maximise our extensive experience and specialist knowledge to analyse, purchase and manage a broad range of consumer debt Continuous investment, innovation and improvement OUR VALUES These were chosen by our employees and are: Ethical Engagement Team Spirit Helpful Innovative Customer Focused Adaptable Learn and Develop 8

10 CONTACT US If you would like to know more about Skills 4 Bills or if you would like some support from Cabot Credit Management employees in running your first game, please contact us at: skills-4-bills@cabotcm.com WEBSITE: skills-4-bills.co.uk 9

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12 C REDIT MANAGEMENT The Cabot Credit Management Group incorporates DISCOVERY SOLUTIONS