Wall Street comes to Leeds for pupils in Stock Market Challenge

The competition, an initiative organised by the University in partnership with 10 Lane Learning, will see students put their financial skills to the test as they are tasked with applying their knowledge of mathematics, business and economics, whilst developing their communication, problem-solving, decision making, teambuilding and negotiation skills to win themselves a trophy.

The Stock Market Challenge will this year be held across two days, at both the University’s Headingley and City Campus sites, with students from years eight and nine taking part on Tuesday 24 March and year 12 pupils getting involved on Thursday 26 for the new Investment Challenge competition.

The initiative offers a unique engagement opportunity between schools and the University and aims to help students leave school prepared for the world of work with the capabilities and confidence to handle future higher education and career decisions. 

As Mandeep Bhogal, Widening Participation Projects Officer at Leeds Beckett, commented: “We are delighted to be hosting the Stock Market Challenge again this year and even more excited about introducing the Investment Challenge for year 12s. This is a great opportunity for potential Leeds Beckett students to see what the University has to offer and a chance to have a hands-on experience in the financial world. The events are an excellent way for students to learn new skills and meet current students here at the University, who can inspire as well as share their knowledge and experience about being an undergraduate at Leeds Beckett.”

Mr Matterson, a business teacher at Cardinal Heenan school, said:  “Our pupils took part last year and they enjoyed the excitement of a live trading floor.  They made decisions under pressure and took calculated risks.  This was a fun way of testing mathematical expertise and stimulating interest in business and economics.  It developed employability skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving.   Events such as this help students leave school better prepared for the world of work, with the confidence to make sound choices.”

The Stock Market Challenge and Investment Challenge are set to involve around 180 students from local schools and are funded by first direct. first direct staff will be supporting the event, participating as ‘traders’ to recreate a ‘real time’ trading floor. The company will also be providing the prizes and information about opportunities in the sector.

The event for year eight and nine pupils will see around 20 schools each entering a team of five people who will work together to manage a fund of shares and foreign currency, interpreting information and investing in the markets.  The team with the highest total fund at the closing bell of the competition will be the winners.

Approximately 80 year 12 pupils from eight schools in the region will be taking part in a similar competition but will be working with digital technology, replicating the methods currently used by those working in the stock market. In the afternoon, they will also attend introductory workshops run by tutors in the University’s Faculty of Business and Law to introduce them to the range of degree courses available to them at Leeds Beckett when they finish school or college.