Sharing the exam rewards

Pupils will collect real shares for good exam results

Pupils who were promised shares in exchange for performing well in their GCSE exams are now counting their winnings.

Two teachers in Rutland launched a website earlier this year to offer financial incentives to encourage pupils to work hard for their exams.

The site, Examboost, offered rewards of shares in internet service provider, Totalise, to pupils who performed well in their GCSEs.

Thousands of pupils in over 650 schools are believed to have signed up for the deal, with pupils now able to calculate the value of their shares.

"Although there are schemes offering pupils cash for turning up to lessons, we felt that this wasn't necessarily the answer," explained one of the founders, Martin Roberts of Uppingham School in Rutland.

"Examboost goes a stage further by encouraging students to achieve the best possible grades in their exams."

Shares were allocated to pupils in relation to their grades, up to maximum of 120 shares for top scoring A-level students - with a guaranteed minimum price of 50p per share.

For GCSE students, who received their results today, the scheme was offering 20 shares (worth £10) for an A* grade in up to three subjects.

Among the recipients of shares was James Howell, a student attending a school in Bermondsey, south London, will collect 44 shares for his grades.

"I think I'll hang on to them until they are worth more. I registered for them because I thought it was a good idea to help me with my studies. It has also given me a better idea about investing money," he said.