Congratulations to a team of our Year 12 pupils who have made it through to the national finals of the ICAEW’s BASE competition.

The four Sixth Form pupils, Jamie Armstrong (Caffs), Ethan Knaresborough (Caffs), Davit Shahbazyan (Poole) and Bethany Winter (Pimlico) have placed in the top 24 teams from the thousands who entered.

The competition consisted of two rounds where the pupils had to imagine that they were a group of management accountants trying to advise a range of fictional companies on business strategy. For the second round, they had to digest a range of information on the possible effects of automating production at a large warehouse, advise the company which of three options to go for, and record a five-minute presentation explaining their recommendations.

Bethany said:

ICAEW BASE is a competition for schools across the UK which tests students’ leadership skills, teamwork, and knowledge about accounting and business strategies. We were given scenarios based off the business industry and we had to pick an option which best suited the solution towards that scenario. I really enjoyed working together with an unfamiliar group of people. We got along together very well, and as well as working hard we also had a lot of fun together. It was very shocking to hear we made the top 24 in the whole UK; however, it feels great and exciting to know that we will be taking part in the national finals. After Sixth Form, I plan on studying either Accounting, Computer Science or Criminology at a university in the UK as well as continuing to pursue my music.

The national finals are due to take place virtually on the 16 June 2021. If successful, the pupils will win an iPad Pro and Apple Pencil each, £4,000 cash for the school, a trip to London to meet the ICAEW CEO, Michael Izza, and a full day employability session. The runners up will win an iPad each and a half day employability session.

Davit said:

I think the most thing I have enjoyed was our team work and cooperation. It feels great to have reached the final and our team is looking forward to taking part in it! After Sixth Form, I am planning to apply for Economics with Accounting courses in the universities in the US and across Europe. I think the competition has given us a lot of team work skills, self-confidence and public speaking, which are great skills to have in your career and life.
 

Ms Thompson, Head of Sixth Form at Durham School said:

Throughout the rounds the pupils had to show our MARK value of moral integrity, prioritising behaving in an ethical manner in a commercial environment and considering the possible drawbacks of options on all stakeholders rather than just prioritising maximising profit. By choosing to take part in the competition, they have also shown ambition; they are all considering careers in accounting and/or finance in the future. It was also a great opportunity for four students who don't share any classes to work together.

Durham School are extremely proud of the group’s achievement so far and are excited to see how they get on in the national finals – well done team!