The popularity of core STEM subjects is soaring, despite the overall number of A Level entries across all subjects falling. There has been a 4% increase in girls taking STEM subjects, meaning over 5,000 more girls are taking STEM, compared to an increase of only 0.65% for boys. This means growth in taking STEM subjects is over six times faster for girls.
More girls have A levels in Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Computing than ever before. The number of girls taking Computing has increased by 48% since 2017, increasing the representation of girls taking Computing to 12%. Both the proportion of girls taking Physics and Further Maths has remained static at 22% and 28% respectively – showing there is still work to be done as these are key entry subjects for engineering and technology.
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Similar to 2017, girls are more positively represented in Chemistry, Maths and Design & Technology – representing 53%, 39% and 37% respectively.
In both Maths & Further Maths, there was an increase of 3% in the number of girls undertaking the subjects. In both Physics and Chemistry, there has been an increase of 7%.
As the future looks towards Computing and ICT is being phased out, the number of students taking ICT has dropped significantly. This meant 29% fewer girls completed the ICT A Level than in 2017.
Those girls that do choose STEM subjects achieve equivalent, or better, A* & A results than boys in all STEM subjects, except Chemistry. 20% of girls taking A level Computing achieved A or A*, compared to 18% of boys.
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Core STEM includes: Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry, Computing, Biology, ICT, Design and Technology and Other Sciences.