It's in the bank! The 2018 Stock Market Challenge

Last Friday’s annual Stock Market Challenge was a fun way for Year 9 to get a peek into the world of business and economics.

The event is a full simulation of a week in the life of one of the most challenging but rewarding careers in finance, with pupils taking on the role of an investment banker for the morning.

In house-based groups, the girls compete to see who can invest a fictional £100,000 for the most gain. Teams have a range of companies to choose from and aim to maximise the value of their investment portfolio, consisting of the total value of shares and cash they hold at the end of the game.

The main school hall acted as a trading floor where pupils bought and sold shares in pounds and dollars, listened to the news about the finances of their companies and kept track of the latest share prices ready to make as much money as possible. Although the competition was fierce, the Gurney team of Amran, Priya, Imogen, Oindrila and Anjali took first place making just over a huge £40,000.

Mr Spick, Head of Year 12 and involved in running the event, said, “The girls learn valuable skills like teamwork, communication, enterprise-based learning and problem solving, which can all be helpful in future careers. It’s a really beneficial insight into the world of finance.”