Langholm Academy wins Stock Market Challenge South West

Jan 27 2010 by Sharon Liptrott, Dumfries Standard Wednesday

FIVE S3 pupils at Langholm Academy have taken top honours at this year’s Stock Market Challenge South West.

Shannon Scott, Lizzie Lane, Dominic Little, John Thomson and Lucy Pool stormed the trading room floor in Glasgow’s Mitchell Library on Wednesday to finish with an exceptionally well-managed fund of £61,700.

The competition, now in its seventh year, is held by Skills Development Scotland and sponsored by BNP Paribas Securities Services.

It not only teaches young people about how financial markets work but encourages them to develop communication, problem-solving, decision making, team building, and negotiation skills.

In second place was Chryston High School in North Lanarkshire who finished with a portfolio of £50,400, with Belmont High School in South Ayrshire finishing in third place with their portfolio of £49,800.

Competing against 24 other teams of S3 pupils from across the South West of Scotland, the Langholm Academy team traded in shares and foreign currency by interpreting and analysing information from the stock market.

Langholm teacher Willie McKenzie said: “The whole day was brilliant. All the pupils really enjoyed the challenge and it is great to have won. Everyone there worked really hard.”

Damien Yeates, chief executive of Skills Development Scotland, said: “Today more than ever we are all aware of and affected by the performance of the financial markets.

“The competition not only helps to educate pupils about the financial markets but also has benefits which are much more far reaching. It encourages them to work in a team, develop their communication skills and their decision-making ability. These skills are vital to ensure that they are equipped to pursue the career path of their choice when they leave school.”