Schools offered cash to compete in stock market challenge

Schools across the country are being invited to enter the sixth annual Shares4Schools investment competition run by retail stockbroker, The Share Centre.

Shares4Schools aims to help Year 12 students learn about the stock market and business matters by investing ‘real' money in shares. Schools will battle it out in both national and regional leagues for their chance to be crowned the 2008/09 Shares4Schools Champion, as well as being entitled to keep any profits they make!

The Share Centre is again offering a number of £750 sponsorships, so schools are encouraged to get their applications in early. Each school will be required to start with an investment pot of £1500, which can be raised through sponsorships such as The Share Centre's, local business sponsors, fundraising initiatives, or by using some of the school's Enterprise Budget.

Last year 81 schools nationwide took part, despite the uncertain stock market conditions. Commenting on the 2007/08 competition, Gavin Oldham, chief executive of The Share Centre said: "Market conditions have been testing for even the most seasoned of investors, yet schools across the country continue to rise to the challenge. And with many of last year's top performers being ‘first timers' to the competition, we are keen to see new schools join in. We are encouraging more business sponsors to come forward and help their local school so more budding investors can take part".

Many schools believe the opportunity to invest ‘real money' has led students to research and choose their investments more wisely than if they had participated with a ‘fantasy portfolio'.

Matt Dawes, head of economics at Reading School (winners of the national competition 2007/08) said: "The competition allowed our students to gain experience of investment in the real world. The team made all of the investment decisions, based on their research of the firms and relevant markets. I was incredibly impressed with their portfolio management, especially in particularly tough trading conditions. The learning experience throughout the competition was first class, especially for students interested in careers in the financial sector".

Registrations for the 2008/9 competition are now being accepted via the website shares4schools.org until 30 September.