lifesavers scotland
financial education for primary schools
LifeSavers - values-based Financial Education for P1-P7
Financial education matters, but fitting it into a busy school day isn’t easy.
You can give your pupils practical, real-life money learning without extra planning, thanks to LifeSavers: a free, whole-school financial education programme for Scottish primary schools. It supports teachers with ready-to-use lessons, classroom activities and professional learning that fits naturally into the Curriculum for Excellence. Children explore how money works, how choices feel, and what matters to them, building confidence for the future.
Created by Just Finance Foundation, a trusted national charity, LifeSavers is designed to support you every step of the way.
Watch our short video to see lifesavers in action.
LifeSavers puts age-appropriate learning materials into the hands of teachers and children in primary schools. Discover high-quality and curriculum-linked activities for Literacy, Numeracy, Social Studies, Health and Wellbeing, as well as innovative research projects dedicated to making financial education accessible to more children.
Why LifeSavers?
✔ Designed by teachers to fit Scottish classrooms (P1–P7)
✔ Aligned with Curriculum for Excellence
✔ Free training and ready-to-teach lessons
✔ Builds confidence, values and life skills - not just knowledge
✔ Easy to fit into busy school days
LifeSavers helps children understand money in everyday ways, through choices they recognise, situations they relate to, and conversations that feel safe, open and encouraging.
what children learn
Children explore money through stories, games and real-life scenarios, building skills they’ll use every day, now and in the future:
Needs and wants: making thoughtful choices
Spending and saving: planning ahead with confidence
Sharing and helping others: understanding money’s impact
Values and choices: thinking about people, communities and the planet
How money systems work in real life: in simple, practical ways
Everything is age-appropriate, flexible, inclusive and designed to spark curiosity.
how lifesavers fits the curriculum for excellence
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![Book titled Maths with a person holding a coin near a savings jar filled with coins]()
Use number skills in meaningful ways including budgeting, comparing, saving and planning.
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![Illustration of a woman hugging herself with the text "Health and Wellbeing" in the top left corner.]()
Children build confidence and responsibility through real-world money choices.
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![An illustration of a person holding a film clapperboard with the word 'Drama' written above, set against an orange background.]()
Practice real-life money choices through roleplay and adventure games.
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![Illustration of a person sitting cross-legged, reading a book, with a green background and the word 'English' written at the top.]()
Develop talking, listening, reading and writing skills through discussion, storytelling, reflection and real-life problem-solving.
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![Illustration of a boy and girl playing with toy cars on a pink background, with the text 'Social studies' at the top.]()
Explore how money works in communities and everyday life.
LifeSavers resources
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![Text that reads 'Five Big Questions' with an illustration of five coins, three gold and two silver, on a white background.]()
5 BIG QUESTIONS
LifeSavers provides curriculum-aligned lesson plans, assemblies, and activities to help children age 7-11 engage with the true value of money.
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![Illustration of a cartoon dinosaur wearing a red baseball cap, holding coins, with text reading 'Milo's Money'.]()
Milo's Money
A wealth of resources for 5-7 year olds including a beautiful storybook; designed to engage your students with money lessons in an engaging and creative way.
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![Illustration of a boy standing next to the words 'Money Adventures' with the boy wearing a green shirt, blue pants, a red cap, and a green money pouch.]()
Money Adventure
This Choose Your Own Adventure style game is targeted at children aged 7-9 and presents the opportunity to explore the concept of consequences around money choices.
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![Logo for Moneybox Productions with a film clapperboard in the top right corner.]()
Moneybox Productions
This brand-new resource uses drama to engage students in vital money lessons, including decision-making and critical thinking.
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![Illustration of a young athlete in a blue shirt and red shorts standing with one foot on a soccer ball, beside the words "Alternative Provision" in stylized text.]()
Alternative Provision
We are working directly with Pupil Referral Units and Behaviour Support Centres who are already focused on supporting children with these specific needs.
LIFESAVERS IN SCOTLAND
LifeSavers is supported in Scotland through our partnership with Scottish Friendly, helping more schools give children the tools they need to manage money with confidence.
Scottish schools receive:
Dedicated onboarding and support
Curriculum for Excellence-aligned resources
Training designed around Scottish school life
Let's shape the future together, starting in our classrooms today!
Our Education Partners
