Year 7 students at Ormiston Bolingbroke Academy in Runcorn, Cheshire, engage with AI technology to create awareness about the risks of illegal money lending. Through an innovative ‘lessons for life’ initiative, students learn to recognise loan sharks and understand the importance of responsible financial management, supported by the Illegal Money Lending Team and Digital Arts Box.
Year 7 Students at Ormiston Bolingbroke Academy Use AI to Learn About Loan Sharks
In Runcorn, Cheshire, Year 7 students at Ormiston Bolingbroke Academy are utilizing AI software in an unconventional yet educational setting. As part of the school’s ‘lessons for life’ curriculum, the AI helps students generate images of loan sharks to raise awareness about illegal lending practices. The initiative, led by head of PSHE Liam Hussey, aims to equip students with financial management skills and highlight the risks associated with illegal money lending.
The lesson emphasizes that illegal lenders can come from various backgrounds, making it crucial for students to recognize the risk irrespective of appearances. The activity is intended to have a long-term impact, preparing students for potential financial challenges they might face in adulthood.
The AI-generated images created by the students have been compiled into an awareness poster for the school, including a QR code linking to the Stop Loan Sharks website. This project is supported by England’s Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT), which uses funds confiscated from convicted lenders to educate future generations about the dangers of loan sharks. An external company, Digital Arts Box, facilitated the class.
Cath Wohlers, IMLT’s operations manager, highlighted the significance of using proceeds from crimes to finance such educational programs. The curriculum varies across age groups, with tailored content for primary and older students to effectively communicate the importance of responsible borrowing and financial literacy.
By integrating these life skills into their education, the academy hopes to safeguard the future financial wellbeing of their students and mitigate the prevalence of illegal lending in their community.
