Page 14 - Gi flipbook - October 2018

NEWS | EDUCATION

Girls with top science GCSEs

‘deterred from study at higher level’

GIRLS ACHIEVING TOP
grades in science and maths
at GCSE are deterred from
continuing to a higher
level with such subjects,
including physics, because
they are affected by low
confidence and an absence
of peers in the classroom,
research has found.
The study, published
by the Institute for Fiscal
Studies, suggests that only
dramatic intervention will
change girls’ low take-up of
physics and maths at more
advanced levels.
About 90 per cent of
GCSE results in England
this year were awarded in
the new reformed subjects
first taught two years Girls are missing out on
ago, reports The Guardian. highly paid STEM careers
This change has meant a
far greater emphasis on to achieve at least grade 7 expected to get grades Director of the Campaign
exam marks in deciding or A in maths, physics or 7-9 in maths or sciences, for Science and Engineering
final grades, which likely combined science at GCSE. equivalent to A-A* (CaSE), said the results
improved the relative The study also had focus previously, 50 per cent showed the need for the
performance of boys. groups of girls in Bolton, said they agreed with the government to collect and
But the IFS study notes Hull, Birmingham and statement: “I often worry analyse more data on the
that while girls have long Portsmouth. that it will be difficult for issue. “It’s great that we are
outperformed boys at The study offered girls me in physics classes.” The getting a light shone on this
GCSE level, including in financial scholarships in figure compared with just problem but honestly my
the science, technology return for studying physics 25 per cent saying the same heart sinks when I read this
and maths subjects known or maths A-levels, but for the study of maths. research. These are very
collectively as STEM, fewer the rewards made little The survey found that talented girls, doing very
girls go on to take maths difference. fear of being among a small well at maths and science,
and physics at A-level, “A substantial proportion number of girls studying and they still think they’ll
and fewer continue with of the girls responding the subjects was also a big struggle doing physics.”
those subjects at a higher to the questionnaire felt barrier, with 67 per cent Main said that recent
education level. that no amount of money agreeing that “STEM jobs improvements in the
Girls are therefore could induce them to are male dominated”. Girls numbers of girls taking
missing out on potentially study maths or physics,” in the smaller focus groups maths and chemistry at
highly paid careers. Women the research found. said that “male dominance A-level showed that the
with maths degrees earn 13 “These girls suggested and boys’ behaviour in the problem was not insoluble.
per cent more than other that talks from female classroom” were significant CaSE has recommended
female graduates five years role models in STEM, reasons for not taking that the government make
after university; women STEM work experience STEM subjects at A-level a serious effort to improve
with degrees in economics, and interventions to build or university. careers guidance, and set
which require high levels of girls’ confidence in maths But while the take-up of out a strategy to improve
maths ability, earn nearly and physics could be more STEM subjects was better take-up and diversity of
20 per cent more. effective in encouraging at all-girls schools, the fact STEM subjects. “That
In a pilot study them to continue in maths that girls there still lagged way you could tackle the
investigating why girls are and physics.” behind the proportion of problems of confidence
under-represented in maths Low confidence appeared boys taking the subject and isolation, and motivate
and physics, the researchers to be a big barrier to suggested peer involvement young people from all
interviewed nearly 300 girls taking physics. Of all the was not the sole factor. walks of life to take these
across 40 schools predicted girls surveyed who were Sarah Main, Executive subjects,” Main said. ■

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News.indd 9 20/09/2018 12:15