PrintSchool Teams Manage Healthy Balances in the Sixth Form Management Games
The CIPFA management game is designed to give an insight into the type of decisions that are faced by real public sector organisations. Teams encounter long-term strategic decisions as well as day-to-day operational issues, which they have to address decisively. The game is organised by the Midlands region of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA). CIPFA is one of the leading professional accountancy bodies in the UK and the only one, which specialises in the public sector. Members and student members of the Institute gave up their days to run the two games.
Sir Graham Balfour School (Stafford) were the winners in the first of the games, held at Wolverhampton University on Wednesday 4 July. Chase Terrace Technology College, Burntwood were placed second, only two points behind the winners, with the lead having changed a number of times during the day. The other schools taking part were St. Peter’s Collegiate Church of England School (Wolverhampton), Walton High School (Stafford) and the John Kyrle High School and Sixth Form Centre (Ross-on-Wye).
John Taylor High School (Barton-under-Needwood) won the second game held at Staffordshire University on Wednesday 18 July. A team from Abbot Beyne School, Burton-on-Trent were placed second, a remarkable achievement given that they only had five students to cover the seven management team posts. The other teams taking part were Westwood College (Leek), the Thomas Adams School (Wem) and a further team from the Abbot Beyne School.
Schools took on the role of the Management Team of a fictitious Health Trust – Castaway Primary Care Trust - and students in the team each played the part of a member of that Management Team with specific responsibility for a certain area of the PCT. Each member of the team was briefed on the value of certain schemes and in round one they had to prioritise their schemes to formulate a corporate bid submission for challenge funding.
However, as in real life, this was not without its interruptions, and they were visited by an influential politician – the “Health Minister” Lord Timothy Sands - and had to respond to a letter from the Chief Executive of the Town Council all before lunch! The afternoon started off with bad news and then a visit from an “apoplectic” Trade Union leader, before “the press” came demanding a press statement on proposals for the Out of Hours service, which had been the subject of complaints from the local Residents' Association.
Lots of photos were taken, and can be downloaded in zipped files - click to download the:
* 4th July pictures (14mb)
* 18th July pictures (21mb)
If you are unable to download the zipped photo files and would like photos for a particular school, please contact Colin Sharpe.
The organising team assess the way problems are handled and look to see that answers are logical and practical in design. The team were very impressed by how hard all the schools had worked and a tremendous work ethic existed throughout the day as they sought to resolve the various issues. The approach of the school teams was very professional and the degree of team working was particularly notable. The event also provided an opportunity for students to see some of the facilities on offer at Staffordshire and Wolverhampton Universities. CIM is extremely grateful to the Universities for the provision of the venues.
The game is now becoming a feature in the calendar of the participating schools as it provides a good test of how the students work together and under pressure in an interesting way. A member of one of the teams reported, “although it was stressful at times, it was an interesting topic and fun to take part”. One of the winning teams said, “they had learned how to work well and effectively in a team whilst being under pressure”. Another participant commented, “the day has opened my eyes to the prospects of working in the public sector”.
Particular thanks are due to Chris Gill, who took the lead in planning and organising the games. For more details of the games, please contact Chris at chris.gill@tesco.net .