Students at Castle Rushen High School, Isle of Man, got a feel for real world finance at a recent interactive event about financial planning, organised with the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII).

Year 12 students studying a range of A-level subjects sampled the CII’s ‘Discover Fortunes’ game activity which aims to demonstrate the importance of money management in a challenging economy and how a financial planner can help people secure a successful financial future.

In teams, students explore the different investment options of five characters with varying attitudes to financial risk. The scenarios facing the would-be advisers include a Paralympian medallist with a ‘can-do’ attitude, a risk-averse war correspondent and an affluent retired couple looking for the next challenge.

Sally Ashworth, team leader key stage 5 creativity and skills at the school, says: “The Discover Fortunes activity was part of our ‘Enrichment’ afternoon and is the second year we have run the programme with our students.

“What it gives the students is development of team work skills and an understanding of the financial planning profession.”

Caspar Bartington, CII relationship manager, said: “As well as helping the professionals of tomorrow get a flavour of life working in financial planning these sessions recognise that financial advisory businesses are always on the look-out for the brightest young talent. We’re convinced that through these sessions we’re starting to identify some of our profession’s future stars.”