PrintSixth Form Management Games
Back in 2006, CIPFA in the Midlands had a vision - to promote CIPFA to students prior to them making career decisions. The 6th form management games were resurrected as a consequence, creating a stimulating and fun environment for 6th form students to sample the scope, complexity and impact of financial management in the public sector. 
The 2009 round saw five games staged in universities across the Midlands region. Thanks go to the universities providing the venues ? Staffordshire, Nottingham Trent, Leicester De Monfort, Wolverhampton and Worcester. About 170 students from 23 schools took part.
This year's winners were Stourbridge College, Adams Grammar School Newport, The Kings School Grantham, Coundon Court School, Coventry and Walton High School Stafford.
Click here for reports and photos from the 2009 games.
Chris Gill, who runs the games says: 'We have steadily increased the numbers of students involved, whilst trying to maintain the quality of experience and learning. Schools are given some background information before the event. Then, when they arrive on the day, each school forms a management team, with each student taking on the role of a member of that team. We provide them with information relevant to their portfolio and then set the management team with a task - for this series they have been asked to produce a draft report by lunchtime.
As life is not always straightforward, we throw in a few interruptions and each team has to decide how it handles these while completing the main task. After lunch the teams receive a bombshell and have to revise their plans, with further interruptions to add that extra sense of reality. Finally, they deliver a presentation on their deliberations to a board of governors.
This year the work ethic has been exceptional with all teams beavering away with great enthusiasm.'
If you are associated with a Midlands School or College with post-16 provision, which may be interested in taking part in future games, then please encourage them to contact Chris Gill (chris.gill@tesco.net).
Feedback from Students and Teachers:
The games are popular with students and teachers alike. The comments from many of the pupils and their teaching staff suggest that this is a valuable day for them, providing an insight into the financial priorities faced by the public sector, which their studies seldom cover.
Comments from students include:
'It was fun to play, because it was a game with a working outcome. I have learned about councils, finance and working in a team.'
'I have learnt negotiating skills and team work skills. I also learnt time management skills. It will have a large impact on the decision I make to take accountancy.'
'(I have learnt) how to analyse information and produce a report and presentation for a professional board'
'Learnt how to get on within a team and pursue an individual role within a group'
Read more comments from students........
Comments from teachers.......
'Thank you for organising yesterday's event. My students really enjoyed themselves'
'On behalf of the staff and students I would like to thank you for organising this event. It is a very valuable experience for the students and so professionally organised. The students were very excited on the mini bus home and compared the experience to the Apprentice.'
'An excellent management game - we will be back next year!'
Read more comments from teachers........
A look back at the 2008 Games
A bold decision was taken to stage four games in 2008. Congratulations go to the 21 school teams who put tremendous effort into meeting this year's challenge. They came from across the region, from as far apart as Worcester, Kettering and NewMills in Derbyshire. There was stiff competition between them!
Unfortunately, there could only be one winner in each of the four games and the winning teams were:
- Pershore High School, Worcester; (pictured above)
- The Kings School, Grantham;
- Adams Grammar School, Newport; and
- John Taylor High School, Barton-under-Needwood - for the second year running!
To read a report on the games in the Region's magazine, click here......
To read the news article, click here.....
Previous Years' Games
2007 - Sir Graham Balfour School and John Taylor High School were the winners in the two Midlands Sixth Form Management games held in July 2007. Close run and keenly contested events, students gained an insight into the financial world of the NHS. Click here for the report and links to loads of photos....
2006 - Teams of sixth formers gathered in Stafford and Wolverhampton to take part in a CIPFA management game in the Summer and Autumn of 2006. To read more about these successful events that give an insight into financial management in the Public Sector, click here.....
Are you a CIPFA Member or Student?
If you're a CIPFA member or student, please consider volunteering to help with the games. You will have an enjoyable and rewarding time and add to your professional skills too! Please contact Chris Gill, as above. To read feedback from colleagues who have helped with previous games, take a look at the Winter 2008 edition of Centrepage.
The contact for Sixth Form Management Games is Chris Gill (chris.gill@tesco.net)