The expectations of Head of Economics, Mr Antony Pinchin, were realised on Tuesday 28 November, when the Cobham Hall team won their regional heat of the Bank of England's Target 2.0 challenge.

Over a thousand school and college students from across the UK compete in this annual challenge to decide what the Bank of England's interest rate should be to keep inflation low and stable.

Teams of four students from each competing school consider the range of economic data and associated issues and information, both from the UK and internationally, that affect the nation's economic and inflation outlook.  They then assess the data to determine what interest rate their team would set to achieve the inflation target.

Head of Economics, Mr Antony Pinchin, with the Cobham Hall team.  Katy Theobald, Xi Sun, Sheyi Okpaise and Kay Zhang, viewing their winning presentation.

The economy is in the news all the time, with stories about interest rates, mortgages, inflation, employment and many other related issues.  Bank of England Governor, Mervyn King, describes this event as 'a practical exercise in testing the students' understanding of economics, an opportunity to develop presentational and public speaking skills, and great fun!'

Katy Theobald will now lead the Cobham Hall team in the area final, which will be held in February 2007.  All the teams will need to update their presentations to take account of economic developments.  The climax for the six teams that win through the area finals is the National Final that will be held on Friday 23 March 2007 at the Bank of England in the City of London.  In addition to the Challenge Trophy, the winning team's school or college will receive a cheque for £10,000.