Tag: Craigmount High School

Craigmount pupils put business skills to the test in Dragons’ Den style competition

The groups pitched their ideas to a panel of judges, including teachers and senior Deloitte partners

Pupils from an Edinburgh secondary school put their business skills to the test last week in an attempt to win over judges in a Dragon’s Den style competition hosted by Deloitte.

Six ‘Pupil Action Groups’ (PAGs) from Craigmount High School, made up of pupils from S1 to S6, have been working throughout 2024 on proposals for the school to tackle major issues, including sustainability, mental health, equalities, equity, digital learning and children’s rights.

The groups pitched to a panel of judges, including teachers and senior Deloitte partners, at Deloitte’s new offices in Haymarket. They competed to secure support for their proposed initiatives, including the creation of a Mental Health Festival, the development of a school newspaper and the purchase of reusable water bottles.

Craigmount High School is one of Deloitte’s partner schools through its 5 Million Futures Programme, which helps people overcome barriers to education and employment.

Working with schools and charities, Deloitte mobilises its people through volunteering, fundraising and pro-bono work to build better futures for people throughout the UK.

On the day, the pupils that make up Craigmount’s Charities and Equity PAG were named the Most Impactful Group and the school’s Sustainability PAG was awarded Best Group Presentation.

Deloitte also presented an award for Most Effective Individual Presentation to Imaiyal (S2) from the Equalities PAG, who reflected on her group’s efforts to champion equality in Craigmount’s community. Their work involved holding a bake sale during Transgender Awareness Week and organising a dress down day to raise money during Women’s History Month.  

Imaiyal said: “I’m really happy to be recognised for my hard work to help improve equality at my school.

“I had a really good time at the Deloitte offices for the Dragons’ Den competition and I enjoyed working with my school friends to figure out how we can solve these big problems.”

Lesley Smillie, Partner, Public Sector at Deloitte in Scotland, said: “We were really pleased to welcome pupils from Craigmount High to share their visions for the future.

“We were so impressed by the pupils’ presentations – it’s really encouraging to see their passion and enthusiasm to solve the various important issues we discussed.”

Alison Clark, Deputy Headteacher, Craigmount High, said: “I’m very proud of our Pupil Action Groups who have worked so hard this year to improve our school and community.

“I’d also like to thank our partners at Deloitte for hosting this competition, which has given our pupils the chance to develop and demonstrate their communication skills and teamwork. We look forward to continuing to work together in the future.”

Craigmount High schoolgirls to battle it out in record-breaking contest

Future Asset shortlists Scottish candidates for next generation of winning female investors

Schoolgirls from Edinburgh’s Craigmount High School and North Berwick High School in East Lothian have made it to the last stage in the 16-18 year and 13-16 year age group of a contest to crown the country’s most promising new business brains in their respective categories.

The finals of the Growing Future Assets Investment Competition, which nurtures the next generation of female investment experts, will be held in March, when a total of eight teams from across Scotland compete for the top spots in junior and senior contests.

And this year the competition is tougher than ever with entries up by a record-breaking 300%.

In the 13-16 year age group, Craigmount High School’s pupils will compete against teams from: Bishopbriggs Academy (East Dunbartonshire); Deans Community High School (Livingston, West Lothian) and Larbert High School (Falkirk).

North Berwick High School’s pupils will compete against teams in the 16-18 year age group from: Lochaber High School (Fort William, Inverness-shire);  St Columba’s High School (Gourock, Inverclyde) and Wellington School (Ayr).

Financial educators Future Asset believe that being female should never be a barrier to progressing in a chosen career and the contest introduces senior schoolgirls to potential careers in investment management, demonstrating how working in the sector provides engaging opportunities and  can change the world for the better.

During the competition youngsters must prove their ability to spot the next big investment opportunity by researching, analysing and pitching a company they think will be a great long-term prospect

And teenagers have reacted enthusiastically to the opportunity, despite the challenges of the pandemic, with 62 groups, comprising 240 girls, from all over Scotland taking part.

They have been mentored by investment management professionals offering advice, inspiration and career insights, and supported by teachers who have gone above and beyond in providing extra-curricular activities.

Business Education Teacher Hannah Fox, North Berwick High School (East Lothian) says: “The Growing Assets Investment Competition connects classroom learning to the Investment Industry as the students are able to make use of their learning from Business Management and Economics related subjects.

“The task set makes it abundantly clear what a role in the industry might look like, breaking away from the stereotypical portrayal of  the industry in movies. It pushes students out of their comfort zone in areas such as interacting with professionals to ask advice and run ideas past and allows them to experience managing a varied workload as well as the value of team work.

“The enthusiasm from the Future Asset Team and their guest speakers is second to none, as is the support the students receive throughout the competition. The students are very fortunate to be given access to such talented individuals and high-quality resources.”

This year more than 80 investment mentors from 28 firms, including Baillie Gifford, Stewart Investors, Walter Scott and Partners and Rathbone Investment Management, volunteered to counsel the youngsters.

Mentor and investment expert Naeema Yaqoob Sajid, from Rathbones Investment Management says: “I was delighted to be invited by Future Asset to act as a mentor for their “Growing Future Assets Investment Competition.

“Initiatives such as this are fundamental if we wish to support and grow our female talent in otherwise male dominated industries. The work Future Asset is doing in this space is both innovative and inspiring.

“If anything, we need more initiatives such as this to ensure our young Scottish talent is natured and equipped with skill for a bright and successful future. 

“The young girls from Craigmount High School, with whom I collaborated, showcased their talent with such enthusiasm and interest. Their research and presentation skills left me with no doubt that we were on to a winner!”

Experts from journalism and business have also advised the teenagers with Executive and Voice Coach Susan Room boosting their skills and confidence with online masterclasses in Mindset, Body Language, Speech and Voice, and author, broadcaster and financial journalist Iona Bain explaining how they can invest their way to a better future.

Now in its second year, the teams have already presented their case in a research report and three-minute elevator pitch. The eight finalists will deliver an extended pitch to judges at the beginning of March with the winners announced on March 2.

The champions will receive: £1000 for the winning senior team and £200-worth of vouchers of the students’ choice for each team member; £800 for the best junior team and £150-worth of vouchers each.  Senior and junior runners-up receive £500 and £100 of vouchers and £400 and £75 of vouchers, respectively.

Helen Bradley, Future Asset programme manager, says: “The response to this year’s competition from the youngsters has just been astounding – matched by a fantastic level of commitment from teachers and mentors.

“And the calibre of entries has been so impressive. The judges are going to have a challenging job on their hands determining which teams are the true future stars of the investment industry.”

For more information visit https://www.futureasset.org.uk/

Local High Schools are finalists in Growing Future Assets Investment Competition

Girls from Craigmount High School and The Royal High School have beaten off stiff competition and made it to the final of the Growing Future Assets Competition.

Pitching their chosen companies L’Occitane & ASOS, the girls demonstrated determination, resilience and ingenuity when presenting their chosen business as a viable and recommended investment opportunity.

The Growing Future Assets Competition introduces senior schoolgirls across Scotland to the world of investment, its operation, relevance and impact as well as the range of careers available within the sector. It supports them towards developing an understanding that good investing is about the long-term prospects, profits and sustainability of a company.

Deputy First Minister, John Swinney, said: “The Future Asset Competition is an exciting opportunity for girls across the country to access professional information and advice about careers in investment, a sector where women are under-represented.

The process offers competitors the opportunity to enhance and develop their employability, financial, data analysis and presentation skills in a creative and real-life context, and I wish all those taking part this year the best of luck.”

Rob Woodward, Chair of the Developing the Young Workforce Employers’ Forum comments: “As Chair of the DYW National Employers’ Group I wish all participants in this competition the very best of luck. 

Learning the benefits of investment and helping companies to thrive sits at the heart of good business.  Given the current COVID-19 crisis the skills being judged will be at the heart of the business response to rebuilding the economy and creating future job opportunities.”

Tom Rae, Head Teacher, Craigmount High School comments: “Competitions like this are a really important way of preparing young people for the world of work, a key element now in all school curriculum structures.

“As well as promoting awareness of dispositions and skills, the  project also serves the purpose of advancing gender equality. Most importantly, I can see from the student feedback comments that they have all really enjoyed the experience – this is crucial, as learning should also be enjoyable, challenging, and change young peoples’ understanding of the world of work.”

Pauline Walker, Headteacher, The Royal High School comments: “The Future Asset competition has given our pupils the opportunity to excel at a time when everything that was familiar to them was stopping around them both in their school and globally. Despite the difficulties they showed resilience and determination to complete the project and to a very high standard.

“They worked collectively to produce a very high standard of work and used all the advice and support provided to them through the project leaders and their teacher Ms Collins.

“We are extremely proud of what they achieved and really look forward to seeing them complete in the final. They demonstrated what is very best about young people today and are growing and developing skills for life and work beyond school.”

Each of the participating teams were matched with investment mentors volunteering from investment companies who could provide advice and guidance, before presenting their conclusions in research reports and elevator pitch videos.

The teams had to complete their pitches during lockdown, showing great determination, resilience and ingenuity. The judging panel of investment professionals, who were extremely impressed by the high standard of entries, selected only four teams to take part in the online competition final via Zoom calls on 8 and 9 June 2020.  

Mentor for The Royal High School, Edinburgh, pitching ASOS, Louise MacDonald, Head of Compliance, Cameron Hume Limited comments: “To reach the final of The Future Asset Competition is a fantastic achievement for The Royal High School team , and very well deserved !

“To create and deliver a presentation of the highest quality, in the difficult environment we find ourselves in at the moment, is a real credit to the team. The approach the girls took to the competition was excellent; they were inquisitive, analytical and eager to learn and understand key concepts of the investment world.

“Above all else, they showed a willingness for teamwork, and truly listened to each other (and their mentors!) , which showed in the strength of their presentation. I wish them all the very best for the final.”

Mentor for Craigmount High School, Edinburgh, pitching L’Occitane, Danielle Dunlop, Investor Access Co-ordinator, Baillie Gifford & Co comments: “The girls at Craigmount have done a fantastic job in reaching the finals. 

“Their ability to grasp important investment principles and present a thoughtful and interesting pitch is highly impressive. I can see great potential for a future in investment.”

The winning team will receive £1000 for their school and £200 for each of the team members in vouchers of their choice, with the runner up receiving £500 for the school and £100 of vouchers for each team member.

Future Asset believes that being female should never be seen as a barrier to progressing in a chosen career.  Their goal is to enable girls in the senior phase of high school to learn how investment can change the world for the better, gain valuable, transferable skills and consider the benefits of possible future careers.

They organise conferences and workshops for girls across Scotland.

For more information visit https://www.futureasset.org.uk/