News Blog
Year 10 Maths Challenge
Year 10 Maths Half Term Challenge
What Was the Challenge?
In maths lessons on the last day of term, students took part in a Share Price Game designed to develop their understanding of:
- Financial literacy – learning how the stock market works and understanding investment principles
- Percentage change – applying mathematical skills to calculate gains and losses in real-world contexts
Each student (or team of students) was given a virtual £500,000 to invest in shares of their choice. They were given 5 companies to invest all or part of their money. They could also leave some of the money in the bank! They made strategic investment decisions, and then tracked their portfolio's performance over the half term holiday.
How It Worked
- Students could compete individually or work in teams, encouraging both independent decision-making and collaborative problem-solving
- They selected which companies to invest in, applying their knowledge of current affairs, business trends, and mathematical analysis
- The shares were left untouched over the half term break, allowing students to see how real market conditions affect investments
- The winner will be determined by the highest percentage gain on their portfolio – not just the highest monetary value, ensuring the focus remains on understanding proportional change
Why This Matters
This activity goes beyond textbook maths. Your child has been:
- Applying percentage calculations in a meaningful, real-world context
- Developing critical thinking skills about risk, reward, and financial decision-making
- Building financial literacy that will serve them throughout their lives
- Engaging with current events and understanding how global factors influence markets
- Learning valuable lessons about patience and long-term thinking in investment
What Happens Next?
Winners will be announced on the first day back after half term. We'll celebrate their success and discuss what strategies led to the best results, as well as what we can all learn from the experience.
We hope your child has enjoyed this practical application of their maths skills. You might want to ask them about:
- Which companies they chose to invest in and why
- How they calculated their percentage gains or losses
- What they learned about how share prices can change
- What they would do differently if they could invest again
Thank you for your continued support of your child's learning at The Lenham School.
