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Overview

Financial Studies gives pupils a real insight into the impact of finance throughout their lives.  It develops their understanding and appreciation of the need to be responsible borrowers, sensible savers and heightens their awareness of the importance of financial planning throughout their lives. Financial Studies has been a popular choice amongst pupils as it allows students to develop a genuine life skill that will benefit them throughout their adult lives.

Staff

Mrs E O’Halloran (HoD)

Mrs A Kelly

“Money is one form of power.  But what is more powerful is Financial Education.  Money comes and goes, but if you have the education about how money works, you gain power over it and can begin building wealth .……. most people go to school and never learn how money works, so they spend their lives working for money.”

—  Robert Kiyosaki

Key Stage 5

We offer Level 3 Diploma in Financial Studies through the London Institute of Banking and Finance (LIBF).

 

It is classified as an Applied General A-Level with the first half (Certificate in Financial Studies) being equivalent to an AS level and then the second half (Diploma in Financial Studies) being equivalent to a full A-level.

 

The subject is graded A*- E like the traditional GCE A-levels on offer in the school.

Details of the course

In year 13 we teach the two units that make up the Certificate of Financial Studies (CeFS).

 

Year 13 is all about Financial Capability, making you aware of your personal finances in terms of credit cards, HP agreements, insurance, investments and savings products and learning about the various providers of financial products and financial advisors.  

 

Each unit is assessed via a two-part examination:
 

  • Part A is a multiple-choice paper.

  • Part B is a written examination based on a pre-released case study and non-case study based questions, both requiring essay responses.
     

Unit 1 assessed in Jan of Year 13 (resit available in March) and Unit 2 assessed in May of Year 13 (with resit available in June).

 

In year 14 we teach the two units that make up the Diploma of Financial Studies (DipFS).

 

Year 14 is more about the sustainability of your finances and the financial services sector - how to you keep yourself financially secure and how does the financial services sector survive and thrive.

 

Each unit is assessed via a two-part examination:
 

  • Part A is a multiple-choice paper.

  • Part B is a written examination based on a pre-released case study and non-case study based questions, both requiring essay responses.
     

Unit 3 assessed in Jan of Year 14 (resit available in March) and Unit 4 assessed in May of Year 14 (with resit available in June).

What pupils say about the LIBF Diploma in Financial Studies

  • It gives you a much better understanding of your personal finances and how to plan for the future

  • Some topics are based around common sense, while others involve extra reading to help you understand.

  • It doesn’t involve much maths – it’s not a number-based subject.

  • Knowing you can’t repeat the Yr 13 modules in Yr14 makes you focus on passing in Yr13.

  • It’s made me think twice about my attitude to credit cards and debt etc.

  • Exams are spread out and the results come in very quickly.

  • I feel confident that I can now make better informed choices about my finances.

First cohort through the Diploma 2020.jp

Achievements

Each year LIBF award Scholarships towards one of their degree programmes to those candidates who achieve an A or A* grade in the CeFS and the DipFS qualifications.

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In August 2020 we were delighted to learn that the 13 pupils were recognised by LIBF for their fantastic achievements:

We are particularly proud of one of our pupils, Jessica, whose mark was in the top 1% of all students taking the CeFS qualification in the academic year 2019/20 and another pupil, Aine, whose mark was in the top 1% of all students taking the DipFS qualification in the academic year 2019/20.

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“Each year LIBF award Scholarships towards one of their degree programmes to those candidates who achieve an A* or A grade in the CeFS and the DipFS qualifications.

 

In August 2023 we were delighted to learn that 18 pupils were recognised by LIBF for their fantastic achievements. We are particularly proud of 5 year 13 pupils whose marks were in the top 1% of all students taking the CeFS qualification as well as Naoise McQuillan whose marks were in the top 1% of all students taking the DipFS qualification that year.”

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