Instead of algebra and calculus, however, they introduce pupils to the real-world challenges of living on a budget.

Robin Ballantyne, who heads up CHAP’s education programme, said: “It’s obvious to us that even young people of 16 who might be thinking of leaving school, may have a very poor understanding of the reality of getting by on a budget.

“At home, not everyone is party to discussions on the importance of saving, the potentially high costs of borrowing or the benefits of insurance. We try to introduce concepts like these in ways which are relatable, with the aim of tackling financial exclusion and preventing young people getting into money troubles later on. Another advantage of course, is that they take this knowledge home to the whole family.”

Alan Knox, PT Guidance at Irvine Royal Academy, added: “CHAP’s Education department has worked in partnership with Irvine Royal Academy for a number of years, delivering engaging workshops to our senior phase pupils. Building on the success of these sessions and the positive feedback received, CHAP is now extending this work to S1-S3 pupils, helping them develop essential life skills and knowledge they will need for the future.”

As part of its 25th anniversary celebrations this year, CHAP decided to undertake research in schools* to gain an up-to-date picture of teenage financial expectations.

Perhaps not surprisingly, the most obvious finding from surveying more than 630 pupils aged from 14-16, was that expectations varied hugely on many topics.

There was significant consensus however on the expectation of having a part-time job by age 16, with 86% of those surveyed saying they would. This is just as well, because around the same number (85%) reported that they expected to be owning and running their own car by 20. An ambitious 37% believed car ownership could be achieved by age 17.

In bad news for parents, when asked if they thought they should pay ‘dig money’ when earning, around a quarter of the teenagers surveyed said no. Another 60% or so thought this should be capped around £50 a month.

When asked about future expectations, almost a quarter (23%) said they expected to earn a salary of £50,000 a year by age 30. Another 40% set their minimum salary expectation around £30,000 - £35,000. 73% expected to own their own home by age thirty, with just 23% expecting to live through the rental market.

Debbie Alexander, CEO of CHAP, added: “Our research only gives a snapshot of some 600 pupils surveyed in Ayrshire this autumn but it illustrates very well why we believe taking real-world financial awareness into schools is so crucial.

“10% of those surveyed thought they could live on between £1,000 and £5,000 a year when they left school and went to college or University. This is worryingly unrealistic among a generation who might spend that on mobile data consumption alone in a year, especially if they are not savvy on what contracts they tie into.

“Expectations on future rental or mortgage payments also varied widely, from £400 to £800 a month. And it was the same for home energy costs, where the pupils surveyed initially guessed anything from £50 to £200 a month.

“25 years of providing free debt, welfare and housing support in these same communities tells us that financial lack of awareness is often what underpins debt and potential for life, since early mistakes can dent people’s prospects and mental wellbeing for years ahead.”

These are issues which CHAP took to a special event entitled ‘Transforming Lives - resilience & equity for all’ held at the Scottish Parliament on 27th November and sponsored by local MSP, Kenneth Gibson.

Mr Gibson added: “I am a great supporter of CHAP’s constructive and practical approach to raising financial awareness and related life skills. The parliamentary event was to underscore the importance of such support and to raise awareness beyond my own constituency of the potential that exists for breaking the debt cycle through timely intervention as early as possible.”

CHAP currently operates in 13 schools in Ayrshire and Dumfries & Galloway and has recently welcomed funding by Morgan Sindall Construction. CHAP’s aspiration is to extend this programme even further, to include younger pupils, and extend coverage across Scotland.

CHAP’s work was recently recognised in the Scottish Parliament when Kenneth Gibson MSP raised a motion for debate at Members’ Business on Tuesday 18th November 2025. Supportive contributions from Christine Grahame MSP, Pam Gosal MSP and the Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Màiri McAllan, highlighted not only the impact of our work over the past 25 years, but the wider importance of Scotland’s overstretched third sector in delivering vital frontline services, offering value for money, and supporting communities through times of hardship.