The FINANCIAL — St. Edmund Arrowsmith School took top honours at this year’s Stock Market Challenge for schools competitions held at Manchester Business School, according to Manchester Business School.
The competition is a joint initiative funded by HSBC and supported by Manchester Business School in partnership with 10 Lane Learning.
The Stock Market Challenge enables students to apply their knowledge of mathematics, business and computer science, and helps them to develop their communication, problem-solving, decision making, teambuilding and negotiation skills, according to Manchester Business School.
The initiative offers a unique engagement opportunity between schools and local companies like HSBC and aims to help students leave school or university prepared for the world of work with the capabilities and confidence to handle future higher education and career decisions. The initiative also supports the local financial services and IT sector in its need to create a world-class competitive workforce.
“The Stock Market Challenge is a fantastic way for young people from schools across the region to build their understanding of the business world whilst developing their skills and having fun. The initiative links well with our community goals and gives pupils the opportunity to apply their learning at school to a highly realistic financial setting, whilst bringing their own fresh perspective,” Mark Wake, Deputy Regional Director for HSBC, said.
The events involved over 100 Year 10 students from local schools, many of whom have been preparing over the past few months using the online version of the challenge, which schools have received free of charge as part of HSBC’s support in the hope of leaving a lasting legacy within each school taking part, according to Manchester Business School.
Working in teams, their task was to manage a fund of shares and foreign currency by interpreting information and investing in the markets. The team with the highest total fund at the closing bell of each competition were the winners.
“At MBS we think it is essential that we focus on developing the qualifications and skills of our young people, to ensure the appropriate skills base is in place to take advantage of the job opportunities now and in the future. Initiatives such as the Stock Market Challenge provide us with an opportunity to introduce the university to young people whilst also helping our next generation of business leaders to consider a high value qualification in finance, banking or accounting,” Kate Scott, Undergraduate Marketing and Recruitment Coordinator at Manchester Business School said.
MBS and HSBC staff were on hand to provide teachers and students with guidance and information about opportunities in the sector and relevant courses at the University, according to Manchester Business School.
“We really enjoyed taking part. It was an exciting day and we enjoyed getting into each of the roles and working as part of a team. It was an intense day but we had so much fun,” a member of winning team at the event said.
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