New College Pontefract has seen a significant increase in the number of female students taking up their BTEC Games Design course. Students at the top-ranked sixth form college have been challenging gender stereotypes about the gaming industry, making in-roads in an area once seen as an almost exclusively male domain.
“We have seen the largest number of female students enrolled on our Games Design courses. We are thrilled with this because it reflects the growing trend within the industry of the increase in female game professionals,” said Anna Levick-Briggs, Head of School, Creative and Digital Technology School. “Traditionally careers in the games industry have been seen as jobs for the boys and our female students are leading the way in dispelling that myth.”
The increase in female students is one of the first steps to changing the industry, something recognised by local employers.
“It’s fantastic that New College have a higher intake of female students this year, because it’s really important that the industry grows to have a greater representation of female developers,” said Sitara Shefta, Head of Production at Dream Reality Interactive. “The best games are made by diverse teams, because you get input from so many different perspectives and so reach out to much a wider audience.”
Sitara regularly comes back to her former sixth form college to talk to students.
“It’s still not a well-known prospect for many students and parents, despite it being a huge creative sector in both the UK and Yorkshire.”
Back Row left to right
Grace Thorp
Hannah Bellwood
Megan Middleton
Elysha Ross
Lana Burke
Emily Viney
Olivia Gowland
Front row left to right
Orsolya Klimo
Lily Scarr
Olivia Foster
Emily Wood
Saffron Higgins
Sophie Barnard
