Overview

This 45-minute session is designed for two Year 11 students in a SEMH alternative provision setting to explore the fundamentals of online trading. It aligns with the National Curriculum for England’s focus on Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education, particularly the money management and economic well-being components. The lesson emphasises developing responsible decision-making, digital literacy, and critical understanding of financial risks and opportunities in an online context.

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National Curriculum Links

• PSHE Education (Personal Finance)
  Statutory guidance (DfE, 2021)

  • Understand how to manage and make informed decisions about money, including risks and rewards.
  • Develop awareness of online financial services and their impact on personal wellbeing.
  • Build skills to evaluate financial information critically.

• Computing (Key Stage 4, National Curriculum 2014)

  • Use technology safely, respectfully, and responsibly (Online safety).
  • Understand the consequences of online actions, including financial decisions.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

1. Identify key concepts of online trading, including stocks, shares, and risks involved.
2. Understand the importance of researching and critically analysing online financial information.
3. Demonstrate awareness of online safety and fraud risks related to online trading platforms.
4. Reflect on how responsible money management influences wellbeing.

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Resources Needed

• Whiteboard and markers
• Student worksheets (included below)
• Laptop/tablet with internet access (for demonstration only)
• Printed scenario cards (for role-play activity)
• Paper and pens

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Lesson Structure

Starter (5 minutes)

Engage:

• Ask students their thoughts on what “online trading” means. Write responses on the whiteboard.
• Show simple examples of trading platforms (screenshots, not live sites). Discuss how people buy and sell shares online.

Main Activities (35 minutes)

Activity 1: Exploring Online Trading Basics (10 minutes)

• Use worksheet Section A to define key terms: stock, share, broker, risk, trading platform.
• Discuss examples of online trading and emphasise risks and rewards.

Activity 2: Risk and Safety Awareness Role Play (15 minutes)

• Distribute scenario cards showing situations like phishing attempts, impulsive trading, or fake recommendations.
• In pairs, students role-play responses to these scenarios, focusing on safe online behaviour and good money management strategies.
• Debrief with questions: What would you do? Why is it important to check the source of financial info?

Activity 3: Critical Thinking – Evaluating an Online Trading Platform (10 minutes)

• Present a simplified fact sheet for an imaginary trading platform (included in worksheet Section B).
• Students identify positives and potential risks from the fact sheet.
• Discuss how to decide if an online trading platform is trustworthy.

Plenary (5 minutes)

• Recap learning objectives using a quick quiz where students write or say one key point for each objective.
• Reflect on how knowledge about online trading and safety can support responsible money habits.

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Assessment

• Formative assessment during role play and fact sheet discussion, noting students’ ability to identify risks and demonstrate safe behaviours.
• Worksheet completion checked for accuracy and understanding.
• Oral contributions during starter and plenary to assess engagement and comprehension.

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Differentiation

• Provide vocabulary support and simplified explanations as needed.
• Encourage use of drawings/diagrams if writing is a barrier.
• Role-play supports practical learning styles and boosts confidence.

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Student Worksheet: Online Trading Essentials

Section A: Key Terms

Match each word below with the correct meaning (write the letter next to the word):

Word	Meanings
1. Stock	A. A person or company that buys and sells shares
2. Share	B. Part-ownership of a company
3. Broker	C. Buying or selling financial assets online
4. Trading Platform	D. The chance that something valuable (money) could be lost
5. Risk	E. Website or app used to buy and sell shares or stocks

Section B: Online Trading Platform Fact Sheet

Read and answer these questions:

TradingPro App

• Offers access to thousands of shares worldwide
• No minimum deposit to start trading
• Charges fees for each trade made
• Has a customer support team available 24/7
• Reminds users weekly about risks of trading
• Requires verification before account creation

Questions:

1. What is one benefit of TradingPro?
2. What is one cost involved in using TradingPro?
3. Why is the verification process important?
4. What risk does TradingPro remind users about?
5. Would you trust this app? Why or why not?

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This lesson plan empowers students to understand online trading realistically, considering financial and emotional wellbeing in the digital age — essential skills scaffolded by the National Curriculum for England’s PSHE and Computing frameworks.