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FocussingFocusing strongly on real-life examples for use in teaching material, the programme will explain how the financial markets impact on the day-to-day running of business. It will also give teachers the opportunity to hear about the latest developments in the City from practitioners at the heart of London’s financial community. The course is designed to help secondary schools fulfill the requirement to offer enterprise and work-related learning for Key Stage 4 students.
Welcoming the initiative, Charles Clarke, Secretary of State for Education and Skills said: "I am pleased to support the official launch of the Stock Exchange and the Trident Trust's 'Sharing in Enterprise' teacher training programme. If we are to deliver enterprise education in a way that enriches the National Curriculum we must ensure that teachers are given the right level of support and training. This important collaboration between business and Government makes an important contribution towards providing that."
Chris Moss, Chief Executive of 118118 The Number also spoke at the launch of his own experiences of being an entrepreneur. “Having dyslexia and a short attention span meant that I was considered to be a bit slow when it came to school. I think if we'd had better business education that really got to the heart of what makes a company successful I might have realized a bit sooner that I could turn one of my hobbies into a career, and paid a bit more attention to the other subjects that could help me get there.”
Paul Poulter, chief executive at The Trident Trust, said: “It is more important than ever to link real-life work experience with what is taught in the classroom. Trident’s key aims are to enhance young people’s employability and enterprise skills. By taking teachers into the ‘engine room’ of the UK’s financial community we will give them an invaluable insight, which they can then take directly back to their classrooms across the UK.”
Fred Stone, Head of Training and Consultancy services at the London Stock Exchange explained the practical focus of the scheme: “We designed the ‘Sharing in Enterprise’ professional development days with the classroom firmly in our sights. The courses will enable teachers to bring their knowledge of business and finance to life in the classroom through up-to-date case studies and first-hand insights from City practitioners. Every teacher will go away armed with practical teaching ideas and, we hope, the inspiration that comes from sharing ideas and knowledge with other professionals.”
The programme for the ‘Sharing in Enterprise’ Professional Development Days has been designed particularly for teachers of business studies, information and communication technology, media studies and citizenship learning to students age 14-19. Making use of the London Stock Exchange’s technology and access to real-time market information, teachers will experience the scale and pace of the markets and see how they impact on day-to day business and social issues. Each ‘Sharing in Enterprise’ day will include speakers from the Financial Services Authority (FSA), Proshare, the London Stock Exchange and Trident Trust. To support the training days the Exchange is developing specially designed teaching materials and e-learning tools for use in the classroom.
