PUPILS at Droitwich Spa High School are being given a chance to show off their business skills.

Year ten business studies students at the Briar Mill school are taking part in this year’s IFS Student Investor Challenge that could see them win a week long trip to New York City. In addition, the best investors could win £2,000 for the school and £200 each for themselves.

The aim of the competition is to educate 14 – 19 year olds about investments, stock markets and business economics by allowing them to invest a virtual £100,000 in a set of stocks and watch their wealth grow. Before the competition begins they are able to view company profiles and plan their spending for when the competition starts for real on November 5. During the competition, all stock market data is live, being provided by Bloomberg. Students have until February 1, 2013 to maximise their profit on their starting capital.

Mrs Mary Turner, teacher of business studies, said: “This is a great opportunity for the students to use a range of skills that they need in the class room and in the real world. If they are going to make a profit on their starting capital, they are going to need to work as a team, develop their communication skills, research effectively and make key decisions at the right moment.”

The competition was launched in school by Mr Liam Collins, from the IFS School of Finance, who visited a lesson to explain to the students how the competition works and the importance of young people understanding how wealth is created in our modern world.