Coventry University to host stock market challenge for schools

School pupils from across the West Midlands will be putting their financial skills to the test over two days of intensive ‘trading’ at Coventry University on 21 and 22 March.

Students from local schools and colleges will take part in the Stock Market Challenge for schools competition, a joint initiative funded by HSBC and supported by Coventry University in partnership with publishers 10 Lane Learning.

The Stock Market Challenge will simulate a ‘real time’ trading floor in which 105 Year 10 and 65 Year 12 students, working in small teams, will trade in shares and foreign currency. Each team will start with a £21,000 fund, which they will manage by interpreting and analysing information from the financial markets.

The simulated live trading will take place over a 2 hour period, during which time the pupils will build a portfolio of shares and currency by making decisions about when to invest and when to sell. The team with the highest portfolio at the closing bell wins.

HSBC’s staff will be on hand to participate as ‘traders’ and to hand out the prizes. Alongside staff from the University, they will also provide teachers and students with guidance and information about career opportunities in the financial sector and associated undergraduate study routes.

Stock Market Challenge enables students to apply their knowledge of mathematics and business, and helps them to develop their communication, problem-solving, decision making, teambuilding and negotiation skills.  The competitions at Coventry University are the first of several HSBC-funded challenges taking place at universities across the UK between March and June this year.

Rob McGowan, UK Student Recruitment Manager at Coventry University, said:

Coventry University is delighted to be hosting the Stock Market Challenge for schools competition in partnership with HSBC and 10 Lane Learning.

It is a fantastic initiative which gives young people the chance to put their skills to the test in a competitive but fun environment. It also opens them up to the possibility of pursuing a career in the financial sector.

It is essential that we focus on developing the qualifications and skills of our young people and initiatives such as the Stock Market Challenge provide us with an opportunity to help them with their future higher education and career decisions.

The Stock Market Challenge competition takes place from 10.30am to 1.30pm on Thursday 21 March and from 10.30am to 1.30pm Friday 22 March 2013 at Square One, The Hub, Coventry University, Jordan Well, Coventry CV1 5QT.

For further press information please contact Mark Farnan, communications officer, Coventry University, on 0247 7658245 or email mark.farnan@coventry.ac.uk.