Families First pupils explore global currencies

A sheet of a trillion dollar Zimbabwean bank notes worth just 47p a caught the attention of a group of 10 & 11 year old Hackney pupils on our Families First programme as they explored the Citi Money Gallery at the British Museum. Their visit coincided with Global Money Week.

Pupils handled bags of shells, cinnamon, grain and foreign bank notes to discover their use in trade throughout history. They were encouraged to share their experience and knowledge of currencies used in different countries around the world, focusing on those that reflect their family histories.

This session followed a Chinese currency-making workshop at the October Gallery on Old Gloucester Street, where pupils explored the artwork of Tian Wei and traded their creations!

Inspire’s Families First transition project aims to support Year 6 pupils in Hackney to make the transition from primary to secondary school. Selected pupils from different primary schools are taking part in the project which involves them being partnered with a mentor from a local sixth form college as well as taking part in workshops that aim to build confidence, develop social skills and to help the pupils think about and address the differences between primary and secondary school.

The Families First project is part of the Big Lottery funded Improving Futures programme managed by the Hackney Council for Voluntary Service and partnering Inspire! with other community organisations in the borough (Daymer, African Community School and Claudia Jones Organisation).