PrintSixth Form Management Games 2009 - Reports
The Midlands Region provides a programme of management games for Sixth Formers, to act as an introduction to financial management in the public services and to a career as a CIPFA accountant. This page reports on the 2009 programme.
17th June - University of Worcester
This was won by Stourbridge College, in a very close contest with Pershore High School.
The lead kept changing throughout the game and Stourbridge led by one mark going into the final marking (the presentation), where they tied with Pershore to hold on to their winning position. Stourbridge did exceptionally well and worked extremely hard throughout the day to overcome being two members short. 
Overall the work ethic was probably the best seen from a game, with all teams beavering away with great enthusiasm, creating a positive buzz across the room.
The students gained as much as they gave to the game and enjoyed the day's activity. One student "... found it a fascinating insight into what a career in the public sector would be like". Other students commented on how the assistance of their mentor had helped them develop team and individual skills.
24th June - University of Wolverhampton
The game was won by Adams Grammar (Newport), coming from behind at the half way stage to overtake the Joseph Leckie Community Technology College in the middle of the afternoon after successfully delivering their press release. The King Edward VI school at Lichfield were a very close third after a very good press conference and final presentation.
A team from Adams Grammar had won one of the games held last year and this year's team matched their predecessors.
The work ethic kept up the tremendous standard set in the previous week's game and showed just how much the teams were determined to succeed in what they were doing. The game was probably one of the few activities taking place in the University today, but it was clear where the game was taking place and the energy of the young people could be detected by anyone leaving the lift on that floor.
A member of staff commented that this was the best game to bring his students to as they got so much out of the day. A key achievement from the day appears to have been the development of team and individual skills and one student remarked how he had developed his learning in how to balance time, how to cope with interruptions and how to work better as part of a team and individually. He went on to say "I might consider a career in accountancy or finance because I have enjoyed today".
1st July - Nottingham Trent University
The third CIPFA in the Midlands game of the year was contested in challenging sweltering conditions at Nottingham Trent University, although this did not seem to deter the eagerness or the competitiveness of the five teams involved who gave it all they had got. The Kings School, Grantham, were the eventual winners for the second year running, with newcomers Retford Post 16 Centre in second place.
Congratulations are due to all the participants for the effort they put in to the game, which was tremendous to see from potential public sector accountants of the future. The work that they produced showed a considerably mature approach to the tasks in hand and feedback shows how much they achieved and how well they benefited from the game.
Teaching Staff commented on the game’s professional approach and the support provided by volunteer CIPFA members, who all enjoyed their involvement in the day, the opportunity to develop some of their softer skills and the chance to encourage others to share their enthusiasm for Public Sector Finance.
8th July - De Montfort University, Leicester
The fourth and final day of this year’s CIPFA in the Midlands sixth form management team games saw events taking place at Staffordshire University in Stoke and at De Montfort University in Leicester. The tremendous energy put in to all this year’s games continued and Coundon Court School, Coventry ended up as the winners despite only having five in their team, with the City of Leicester College coming second.
The game was well received by the students. One student reported that "...everything was well organised and taken seriously. I don't think anything could have been done better". Another felt they "...may now consider a course with CIPFA". A member of staff considered the game an excellent task for his students. He reflected on the fact that, sadly, accounting and finance students have very little exposure to the public sector and further discussions will be had to see whether local CIPFA members might be able to give some time to try and address this in future years.
8th July - Staffordshire University, Stoke
This was won by Walton High School, Stafford.