Photo: Pocklington School Sixth Form economics and business students who will compete in the semi-finals of the national Student Investor Challenge
Front – Jeff Tse, Ernest Kwong, Anson Mao, Oli Robinson
Back – Luke Potter, Peter Massey, Jonty Goddard, Peter Wu

The investment skills of two teams of students from Pocklington School have earned them a place in the semi-finals of a national Student Investor Challenge.

Sixth Form economics and business students invested virtual money in the London stock exchange and other investment instruments to create two portfolios, each worth £100,000, which they managed by following the ups and downs of the market in real time, judging when to buy and sell in order to make a virtual profit.

Two teams from Pocklington School finished in the top 10% of around 5,000 teams who entered the competition, staged by the London Institute of Banking & Finance. They will now compete against 500 other semi-finalists for four weeks from 19 February until 16 March.

Congratulations to Lower Sixth Formers Luke Potter, Jonty Goddard, Oli Robinson and Pete Massey, who compete under the name of RPG Trading, and to Lower Sixth Formers Ernest Kwong and Jeff Tse and Upper Sixth Formers Anson Mao and Peter Wu, who together are R.E.J Trading.

Economics and Business Studies teacher Robin Crewes said: “It’s a fantastic achievement as this was a tough year for the markets, making it even more competitive. A special mention must go to Luke and Ernest who led their teams with determination, enthusiasm and resilience.”

For each week of the semi-finals, teams will be given a selection of different investments on Monday morning with the aim of correctly predicting the closing price of these given assets by the end of trading each Friday using accurate and detailed research.

We wish both teams the best of luck in their attempt to get through to the live national final which takes place in April. The winning team takes top prize of a trip to New York – with real spending money thrown in.