TIGA said today that the rise in the proportion of young people achieving A*- C grades at GCSE mathematics, together with the increase in entries for physics, was encouraging. However, the challenge to improve standards remains: over two-fifths of GCSE students failed to get a good pass (A* – C grades) at GCSE mathematics in 2009. GCSEs themselves need to be framed to provide an appropriate challenge to young people.
Commenting on yesterday’s GCSE exam results Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO, said:
“The increase in the overall A* – C rate in mathematics from 56.3 per cent in 2008 to 57.2 per cent in 2009 is a step in the right direction. The rise of 21 per cent in entries for physics is also encouraging. Mathematics and physics are the grounding blocks for some careers in the video games industry.””
“However, the fact that almost 43 per cent of students taking GCSE mathematics are not securing a good pass in the subject underlines the scale of the challenge facing parents, schools and government to improve standards.””
“Examining bodies and government must also ensure that exam papers remain appropriately challenging for students. One exam paper in Information and Communication Technology, which was admittedly for a Foundation level exam, asked pupils to identify whether or not a joystick is used to ‘move an object in a game’. That is the equivalent of asking a student if books are used to read stories.””
“Today’s GCSE results are generally positive but the Government must continue to focus on driving up standards in key subjects such as mathematics. GCSEs are the foundation stone for progression to A level and degree subjects.””
Ends
Notes to editors:
Tiga is the trade association representing the UK’s games industry. The majority of our members are either independent games developers or in-house publisher owned developers. We also have outsourcing companies, technology businesses and universities amongst our membership.
Tiga’s vision is to make the UK the best place in the world to do games business. We focus on three sets of activities: political representation, generating media coverage and developing services that enhance the competitiveness of our members. This means that Tiga members are effectively represented in the corridors of power, their voice is heard in the media and they receive benefits that make a material difference to their businesses, including a reduction in costs and improved commercial opportunities.
For further information, please contact: Dr Richard Wilson, Tiga CEO on: 0845 0941095; Mob: 07875 939643; or Email: richard.wilson@tiga.org, or, Eva Field, Tiga PR Manager on: 07814 039 983, or email eva@tiga.org.