Worked example · PSE / Well-being · Year 9 · Advanced
LNF: Numeracy → Financial literacy · DCF: Data and computational thinking → Problem-solving and modelling
A secure Year 9 response annotated against the lesson success criteria, doubling as the supply teacher’s complete answer key. Key numerical results: Megan’s missing overtime = 3.5 hours (× £15.00 = £52.50 owed); Corrected Gross Pay = £950.00; 4% pension = £38.00; Total deductions = £50.00; Corrected Net Pay = £900.00. Rhodri’s 5% pension = £88.00; Total deductions = £287.00; Net Pay = £1,473.00. Plan A saves £180/month (£540 in 3 months, £60 short); Plan B saves £200/month (£600 in 3 months).
(a) Megan Price (Pool Lifeguard):
| Megan’s Corrected Payslip Line | Working | Amount (£) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Lifeguard Pay (80.0 hrs at £10.00/hr) | 80 × £10.00 | £800.00 |
| Corrected Overtime Pay (10.0 hrs at £15.00/hr) | 10 × £15.00 (or £97.50 + £52.50) | £150.00 |
| Corrected Gross Pay | £800.00 + £150.00 | £950.00 |
| Income Tax (PAYE) & National Insurance (NI) | Below personal tax and NI thresholds | £0.00 |
| Workplace Pension (4% of £950.00) | £950.00 × 0.04 | £38.00 |
| Staff Gym & Swim Pass | Fixed monthly deduction | £12.00 |
| Total Deductions | £38.00 + £12.00 | £50.00 |
| Corrected Net Pay (Take-Home Pay) | £950.00 − £50.00 | £900.00 |
(b) Rhodri Evans (Cafe Supervisor):
| Rhodri’s Payslip Line | Working | Amount (£) |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Pay | £1,680.00 + £80.00 | £1,760.00 |
| Income Tax (PAYE) | From payslip | £142.00 |
| National Insurance (NI) | From payslip | £57.00 |
| Workplace Pension (5% of £1,760.00) | £1,760.00 × 0.05 | £88.00 |
| Total Deductions | £142.00 + £57.00 + £88.00 | £287.00 |
| Rhodri’s Net Pay (Take-Home Pay) | £1,760.00 − £287.00 | £1,473.00 |
Identifies the 3.5-hour overtime error (£52.50), calculates 4% and 5% pension contributions accurately, and finds the correct Net Take-Home Pay for both staff members. Evidences criteria 1 and 2.
| Budget line (based on £900.00 Net Pay) | Plan A: Standard 50 / 30 / 20 Rule | Plan B: Trimmed Wants Spreadsheet Model |
|---|---|---|
| Needs (50% of £900.00) | £450.00 | £450.00 |
| Wants (monthly spending) | 30% of £900.00 = £270.00 | £250.00 (trimmed by £20/month) |
| Monthly Savings into Driving Fund | 20% of £900.00 = £180.00 | £900 − (£450 + £250) = £200.00 |
| Total saved after 3 months | £180.00 × 3 = £540.00 | £200.00 × 3 = £600.00 |
| Reaches £600.00 target in 3 months? | No (£60.00 short after 3 months; needs a 4th month) | Yes (reaches £600.00 in exactly 3.0 months) |
(b) Spreadsheet formulas:
B3 (50% of Net Pay in B2): =B2*0.5 (or =B2*50%)B6 (Total saved after 3 months under Plan A): =B5*3C7 (Months to reach £600 under Plan B): =600/C5Compares both budget plans accurately against the 3-month £600 target and writes valid spreadsheet formulas using cell references. Evidences criteria 3 and 4.
(a) Polite payroll query email:
“Bore da Payroll Team, I am writing to query the overtime hours on my October 2026 payslip (Megan Price, Pool Lifeguard). My signed October timesheet records 10.0 hours of weekend overtime at £15.00 per hour (£150.00), whereas my printed payslip only includes 6.5 hours (£97.50), leaving an underpayment of 3.5 hours (£52.50). Once the missing £52.50 is added to my £800.00 basic pay, my corrected gross pay should be £950.00. Please could you check my signed timesheet and confirm when the arrears will be paid? Diolch, Megan.”
(b) Financial and pension recommendation:
Megan should stay in her 4% workplace pension (£38.00/month) and adopt Plan B. If she opted out of her pension, she would lose the extra contributions that Caerphilly Leisure Centre adds on top of her savings for retirement. Instead, by trimming just £20.00 per month from her Wants budget (reducing Wants from £270.00 to £250.00), Plan B lifts her monthly savings from £180.00 to £200.00, allowing her to reach her £600.00 driving-lesson fund in exactly 3 months while keeping her workplace pension intact.
Both written responses are clear, polite and backed by exact figures from the payslip and spreadsheet model. Evidences criteria 1, 2 and 3.
Using cell references such as =B2*0.20 instead of typing a fixed number like 180 allows the spreadsheet to recalculate every budget line automatically whenever Megan’s Net Pay in cell B2 changes. For example, if she works extra overtime in November so her Net Pay rises to £960.00, the formula updates her Needs, Wants and Savings instantly without her having to redo every calculation by hand, preventing human error during what-if modelling.
Explains dynamic recalculation and what-if modelling clearly. Evidences criterion 4.