Inspiring Aspirations at Greatfield Park Primary: A Day of Money Wise Learning!
Recently, the Make Sense of Pence team had the absolute pleasure of spending a full day at Greatfield Park Primary School in Cheltenham, delivering not one, not two, but four Money Wise Workshops to students in Years 3, 4, 5, and 6. The day was part of the school’s Aspiration’s Day, designed to help children start thinking about their futures and the important decisions they’ll face as they grow up. And wow, what a day it was!
Diving into Money Matters
The workshops were a whirlwind of energy, curiosity, and thoughtful conversations. The children’s enthusiasm was contagious, and their questions were insightful beyond their years. We tackled topics like:
- Mortgages and Savings: What does it mean to save for a house? How do mortgages work?
- Betting, Investments, and the Lottery: Is it a good idea to take risks with money?
- Needs vs Wants: Are pets and entertainment essentials, or are they luxuries?
- Financial Choices: When is it right (or wrong) to spend money, and are those even the right questions to ask?
Our Money Wise Workshops aren’t about teaching rigid rights and wrongs. Instead, they focus on helping children explore the grey areas of financial decision-making. We guide them to ask better questions, make informed decisions, and understand the value of money in real-world scenarios.
A Huge Thank You to Attivo
We couldn’t have done it without the incredible support of Attivo, who not only sponsored the workshops but also funded 30 brand-new books for the Greatfield Park Primary School library. Their generosity is helping to ensure that these vital lessons continue long after our visit.
Brilliant Questions and Bright Futures
One of the joys of these workshops is the unpredictability of the discussions. At Greatfield Park, we were blown away by the children’s engagement, with students as young as six and seven asking questions about credit vs debit cards, expressing amazement at the cost of everyday items, and exploring how they might afford their future dreams.
Our Money Wise Workshops encourage this kind of open, honest dialogue about money—something that is rarely addressed in traditional classroom settings. These sessions provide children with a safe space to ask questions, explore scenarios, and build a healthy relationship with money that will serve them well throughout their lives.
Reflecting on Our Journey
It’s incredible to think that we are now closing in on over 1,000 students who have taken part in our Money Wise Workshops. What started as a simple idea has evolved into a powerful movement, one that is helping young minds grasp the complexities of finance and empowering them to make confident, informed choices.
A massive thank you to the entire team at Greatfield Park Primary School for welcoming us so warmly, to Attivo for their unwavering support, and of course, to all the students who brought so much energy and enthusiasm to the day.
We’re already looking forward to our next workshop and continuing to make a difference—one penny at a time!
Find out more about our Money Wise Workshops and how they could benefit your school: Make Sense of Pence
