Financial planning for a win
Brannock High School knows how to make it as a winner.
Financial knowledge, quick decision- making, and good teamwork helped the Newarthill school win a competition challenging pupils to show their investment skills.
Brannock worked in teams along with other schools to grow a virtual investment fund, making decisions on what to buy and sell based on their own research and incoming news stories.
The competition is supported by BNP Paribas Securities Services and first direct in partnership with City of Glasgow College, Skills Development Scotland (SDS) and Global Investor Simulations.
First direct hosted finalists in Lanarkshire, giving them the chance to pit their investment wits against each other whilst also hearing more about careers in the financial services industry.
Chloe Divers, principal teacher of business studies and administration at Brannock High School, said: “What a fantastic challenge. It gave my students an opportunity to demonstrate their initiative, team- working and problem-solving skills under the pressure of competition.”
Around 1500 students took part in the competition using the online business simulation Finance Lab.
Joe Gordon, head of first direct, said: “As a major local employer, we are focused on forging and maintaining strong links with schools and communities in Lanarkshire. The Investment Challenge helps us develop those links, with Brannock High School doing extremely well to finish top in a closely-fought competition in our region.”