Resource

What is Debt?

Exploring both personal and sovereign debt.

Overview

Students will explore issues around money, personal and sovereign debt and consider the impact government borrowing has on future generations.

By the end of the lesson students will be able to:

  • Describe what debt is and why someone might find themselves in debt
  • Explain the difference between personal and sovereign debt
  • Examine the impact of personal and sovereign debt

This lesson forms part of our wider collection of Economic and Financial Literacy teaching resources.

More Lessons resources

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Mock Trials Classroom Pack

The Mock Trial Competitions are our longest-running active citizenship experiences. Since 1991, we have provided unparalleled exposure to the...

Lessons, Social Action/Active Citizenship, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Homelessness

In this lesson pupils will think about what home means to them through writing a poem inspired by the line ‘Home is where the heart is’. They will consider the…

Lessons, Sustainability and the Environment, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Plastic Pollution (KS2)

Find out more about the impact of plastic on our oceans. Watch this introductory video and use our free...

More Economics, Money and Managing Resources resources

Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS4 (ages 14-16)

COVID and the Economy

During this session, students will critically examine some of the key economic considerations of the pandemic. They will explore...

Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS3 (ages 11-14)

Consumer Law (SmartLaw Subscription)

This lesson explores the law concerning buying and selling goods and services highlighting what their rights and responsibilities are as a consumer. The lesson gives students the opportunity to practice…

Classroom Toolkits, Politics and Democracy, KS1 (ages 5-7)

Controversial issues: guidance for schools

Children are alert to information and images they see in the media. These may graphically influence their view of the world, and not always positively. Graphic images on TV and…

More Politics and Democracy resources

Lessons, Sustainability and the Environment, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Biodiversity: Using the Law to Drive Change

During this lesson, students consider what biodiversity is, why it is essential to all life on Earth and what...

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS2 (ages 7-11)

All at Sea: a story about fairness and the rule of law

During this lesson pupils use the story ‘All at Sea’ to explore how a group of citizens should organise a new society under a challenging set of circumstances. Each chapter…

Lessons, Politics and Democracy, KS1 (ages 5-7)

What is a Vote?

In this lesson pupils will learn what it means to vote by looking at relatable examples in the lives of the Go-Givers. They will consider why and how votes are…

More KS3 (ages 11-14) resources

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS4 (ages 14-16)

An Introduction to Discrimination Law (SmartLaw Subscription)

This lesson looks at the history of anti-discrimination law, the different types of discrimination (i.e. direct and indirect discrimination) and how the law deals with discrimination. It can be delivered…

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Tackling Discrimination (SmartLaw Subscription)

This lesson asks students to explore whether or not we have a moral or legal obligation to tackle discrimination when we see it. It can be delivered as a stand-alone…

Understanding Rules & The Law, KS3 (ages 11-14)

Magistrates’ Court Mock Trial Competition 2025/26: Preparation Resources (England, Wales, Northern Ireland)

School Guide – This guide contains all of the information to support the lead teacher and support teachers in preparing for the competition. Student Guides – Each student guide contains an…