Financial Literacy & Entrepreneurship Understanding Money
At The Ivy House School, we believe that every young woman should leave school with the knowledge, confidence and practical skills required to manage money wisely, make informed financial decisions and contribute positively to society.
Financial literacy is not simply about understanding money. It is about developing responsibility, stewardship, critical thinking and entrepreneurship. In an increasingly complex world, young people must be equipped to navigate financial decisions, recognise opportunities, avoid exploitation and create value for others.
For this reason, all students study Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship as a dedicated weekly subject throughout their secondary education.
Our Vision
We aim to develop young women who:
• Understand how money works
• Make informed financial decisions
• Manage risk responsibly
• Recognise scams and financial fraud
• Develop entrepreneurial thinking
• Understand ethical wealth creation
• Create opportunities rather than simply seek them
• Use wealth as a means of service and contribution
Rooted in Islamic Principles
Our programme is closely connected to Hifz al Mal (Protection of Wealth) within the Maqasid al Shariah.
Students learn that wealth is an amanah entrusted to us by Allah. Through the study of Islamic principles relating to trade, finance, charity and responsibility, pupils develop a balanced understanding of wealth creation and ethical conduct.
Students explore:
• Wealth as an amanah
• Zakah and Sadaqah
• Waqf and community development
• Ethical earning and spending
• Islamic business ethics
• Halal trade and entrepreneurship
• Riba and its impact on individuals, families and society
What Students Study
Personal Finance
Students develop practical knowledge and skills that prepare them for adult life, including:
• Budgeting
• Saving
• Banking
• Financial planning
• Consumer rights
• Household finances
• Understanding bills and contracts
Wealth, Taxation and Business
Students gain real-world understanding of how money operates within modern society.
They study:
• Profit and loss
• Revenue and expenditure
• Pricing and margins
• Business costs and overheads
• Income tax
• Corporation tax
• National Insurance
• VAT
• Self-employment
• Sole traders
• Partnerships
• Limited companies
• Payroll and payslips
• Investments and risk
• Property and assets
• Wealth creation and wealth preservation
Financial Safety
Students learn how to protect themselves from financial harm through understanding:
• Online scams
• Social engineering
• Fraud awareness
• Identity theft
• Cyber security
• Digital banking safety
Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
Students develop the knowledge and confidence required to create and operate successful enterprises.
They study:
• Opportunity spotting
• Business planning
• Branding
• Marketing
• Customer research
• Sales
• Negotiation
• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Presentation skills
The Ivy House Enterprise Challenge
A unique feature of our programme is the Ivy House Enterprise Challenge.
By Year 10, every student will develop and present a genuine business concept. Students will identify a problem, develop a solution, create a brand, build a business model and produce a financial plan.
They will learn how to:
• Conduct market research
• Develop a business plan
• Calculate profit and loss
• Forecast income and expenditure
• Build a marketing strategy
• Present professionally
Students then participate in a formal pitching event inspired by entrepreneurial programmes such as The Apprentice and Dragons’ Den.
Working individually or in teams, students pitch their business ideas to a panel of invited entrepreneurs, business leaders and school representatives.
Trust Investment and Enterprise Accelerator Programme
As part of its commitment to developing future entrepreneurs, the Gardens of Jannah Trust will provide investment funding and mentoring opportunities for the strongest student business proposals.
Following the annual Enterprise Challenge, selected projects will receive seed funding to support the development and launch of their business ideas. Students will have the opportunity to transform concepts developed in the classroom into genuine enterprises serving real customers.
The three strongest business proposals will receive financial investment from the Trust to help launch their ventures and begin their entrepreneurial journey.
Alongside financial support, students may also benefit from guidance from business leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals connected to the Trust’s wider network.
Our ambition is not simply for students to learn about business, but to experience the process of creating, launching and growing an enterprise for themselves.
Through this initiative, students develop confidence, leadership, resilience, creativity and practical business skills while learning how wealth and enterprise can be used responsibly for the benefit of individuals, communities and society.
Cross Curricular Connections
Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship connect naturally with many subjects across the curriculum.
Mathematics
• Budgeting
• Financial calculations
• Profit and loss
• Data analysis
• Forecasting
Tazkiyah
• Hifz al Mal
• Stewardship
• Ethical wealth
• Responsibility
Geography
• Global trade
• Economic development
• Sustainability
History and Muqaddimah Studies
• Islamic trade networks
• Markets and commerce
• Economic development of civilisations
Computing
• Digital business
• E-commerce
• Cyber security
• Online safety
Preparing Young Women for Life
Our aim is not simply to prepare students for examinations.
We seek to develop financially capable, entrepreneurial young women who understand how to manage wealth responsibly, identify opportunities, solve problems and contribute positively to their communities.
By the time students leave The Ivy House School, they will have developed not only financial knowledge but also the confidence, creativity and leadership required to build successful futures. We want our students to become women who create opportunities, serve others through enterprise and use their knowledge, skills and resources for positive impact in this world and the next.