Economic and financial literacy teaching resources

Help children and young people understand where money comes from, how the economy works and why it matters to them.

What is tax and why do we pay it? What is the economy and how does it work? What role does the government play?

Money makes the world go round, but very few of us learn about it from an early age. Use the free teaching resources below to boost your learners' economic and financial literacy.

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Our money

An introduction to how the economy affects us all. For ages 5-11.
Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS1 (ages 5-7)

Money – Wants and Needs

In this lesson pupils will consider the difference between wants and needs and discuss how our wants and needs can influence how we spend money. Pupils learn that money comes…

Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Why Do We Pay Taxes? Part 1

During this lesson pupils will learn that public services are largely funded through the payment of taxes to the government. Pupils will learn that taxes are paid on income as…

Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Why Do We Pay Taxes? Part 2

During this lesson pupils will learn that councils are responsible for local spending decisions and can raise additional funds for public services through council taxes. Pupils will survey residents in…

The economy

Developed with expert economists at FTI Consulting, these resources explore how people in power manage our money. For ages 11-18.
Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Economic Cycles

This free classroom resource explores what economic cycles are and how they impact our lives. Aimed at KS4 and...

Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS5 (ages 16-18)

The Government and the Economy

Aimed at KS4 or Post-16 by the end of the lesson students will: Understand key economic terms including taxation,...

Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Be Your Own Councillor

Students examine ways in which a fictional town council could spend its budget. They consider the concerns of different...

Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS3 (ages 11-14)

What is Debt?

Students will explore issues around money, personal and sovereign debt and consider the impact government borrowing has on future...

Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS3 (ages 11-14)

What is Tax?

During this lesson, students will look at the purpose and collection of taxes. They will explore how public services...

Economics for good

How can the economy solve global problems? For ages 11-18.
Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Climate Action: Circular Economies

During this lesson students explore how the economy can be used to support climate action and create a more...

Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS4 (ages 14-16)

COVID and the Economy

During this session, students will critically examine some of the key economic considerations of the pandemic. They will explore...

Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Who’s Really Paying for COVID?

Young people are, and will continue to be, some of the most impacted by COVID. However their voices have...

Immersive programmes

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