St. Paul’s High School, Audenshaw School and Runshaw College, took top honours at this year’s Stock Market Challenge and Investment Challenge events for North West region schools and colleges held at The University of Manchester on the 21st and 27th/28th June. The project is funded and supported by Alliance Manchester Business School and delivered in partnership with Global Investor Simulations.
In the Stock Market Challenge, 120 Year 10 pupils competed on a live stock market trading floor in the Great Hall at Sackville Street. 180 Year 12 students then competed in the two-day interactive Investment Challenge to develop their skills in finance and improve their business awareness.
Both events transform trading on the financial markets into enjoyable collaborative learning experiences, which enable students to use their maths and business knowledge and develop their team working and problem solving skills.
The Year 10s had to navigate their way through fast-moving, constantly changing market conditions on a live trading floor staffed by staff and students from the Business School and wider university. The Year 12 students competed in pairs in Finance Lab, a business simulation game, on campus at the University.
Chris Fannon, Y10 Progress Leader at St. Paul’s High School, said: “Our pupils really enjoyed taking part as everything was so realistic and it gave them a chance to put what they’ve learnt into action. The trading environment was fast-paced and challenged them to work as a team and adapt quickly to the consequences of the decisions they made. It was intense, but exciting.”
Steve Russell, Economics Teacher at Runshaw College, said: “This challenge is a great opportunity to make students aware of the world of finance. It will undoubtedly leave our students with a greater understanding of how to examine data to make business decisions and how these skills can be used in the workplace.”
Professor Fiona Devine, Head of Alliance Manchester Business School, said: “The Challenges gave the students the opportunity to develop worthwhile skills such as team building and problem solving, as well as an understanding of how these skills can be used at university and in their working life, whichever career path they choose. Developing the skills of students is a vital part of the University’s role, particularly if we are to continue to attract and educate the financial experts of the future.”
