Dean Close Prep School: Exploring Money with Year 5
Our Money Wise Workshop at Dean Close Preparatory School was an incredible experience, engaging two groups of enthusiastic Year 5 students in discussions about how money works, how we spend it, and the impact of our financial decisions.
Thanks to the generous sponsorship from Attivo, a Cheltenham-based financial advisory firm, we were able to bring financial education to life in a fun and interactive way.
Understanding Money: More Than Just Numbers
The workshop covered essential financial concepts, helping students think critically about money, including:
- Where money comes from – earning, saving, and spending
Different ways to pay – cash, cards, contactless, and mobile payments - The difference between needs and wants – what we really need to survive vs. what we simply desire
- The hidden costs of ownership – the ongoing expenses beyond the initial purchase price
- The value of money and what things actually cost.
One of the most revealing discussions came when we spoke about credit and debit cards. While many students were familiar with using cards to pay, most saw debit and credit cards as the same thing and were surprised to learn how they actually work.
Another lightbulb moment came when we explored the true cost of ownership. One student was excited by the idea of getting an exotic pet, but after learning about additional costs like food, vet bills, and insurance, they were shocked at how expensive it could be.
Bringing Financial Education to Life
At the end of the session, the students put their money knowledge to the test with our interactive Higher or Lower game—where they had to guess the relative cost of different items. Some of the biggest surprises included:
💰 A luxury watch costing more than a house
🛍️ A PlayStation being more expensive than a weekly shop
🚗 A car being cheaper than a games console
It was fantastic to see the students so engaged and excited to learn about money in a way that made real-life financial decisions feel relevant to them.
A Fantastic Welcome from Dean Close
From the moment we arrived at Dean Close Prep, we were made to feel incredibly welcome. The professionalism and warmth from every member of staff—from the receptionist to the teachers and students—was outstanding. A special mention to Bradley Mears, who helped coordinate the session and ensured everything ran smoothly.
A huge thank you to Attivo for their generosity in sponsoring this workshop and supporting financial education for young people. Their commitment to helping the next generation build better financial habits is truly inspiring.
What the Students Had to Say
“Made me more aware about money and how to spend and use it wisely.”
“I never realised that a watch could be more expensive than a house!”
“I enjoyed the interactive quiz at the end where we got to move around!”
“It was a lot of fun learning about the value of money.”
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going!
If your school would like to bring financial education to life with an engaging Money Wise Workshop get in touch.
Together, we can empower the next generation with the skills and knowledge they need to make informed financial decisions. Feel free to check out our Free Resources to get the conversation started!