A team of Business students from Buxton & Leek College have battled their way into the Student Investor Challenge semi-finals, beating over 9000 teams from schools around the UK and abroad.
The Student Investor Challenge, run by The London Institute of Banking & Finance, challenges teams of schoolchildren to invest virtual money on the London Stock Exchange and trade stocks and shares to make a profit.
Team Costalot, consisting of students James Tibenham, Vernon Whilock, Olly Millward and Jacob Amson successfully invested virtual money and came 144th after the first round of trading. Only the top 500 teams progress to the semi-finals. They’ll now go on to battle the remaining 499 teams to try and reach the final in London.
Business tutor at Buxton & Leek College, Neil Smith, said: “The students have worked really hard on this project and we’re proud that they’re through to the next stage of the Student Investor Challenge. This competition helps them to learn more about business and entrepreneurship, gain teamworking skills and strengthen their maths knowledge. We’ve got our fingers crossed that they’ll get through to the final in London!”
Catherine Winter, Managing Director of Financial Capability at The London Institute of Banking & Finance, says: “This competition is a powerful way of engaging young people with how the finance sector works and relating it to everyday life.
“The movement of stocks and shares, currency fluctuations and central bank activities can feel quite remote and difficult to get to grips with. By bringing it to life through a trading game, young people have proved they can grasp how economies work and the basics of investment. So, congratulations to the semi-finalists for making the top 500, it’s a great achievement!”
Buxton & Leek College offers a range of full-time programmes and apprenticeships for school leavers, as well as adult education and GCSEs.