Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

STEM Subjects: Uptake by Girls

Wednesday 22 September 2021 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Recent assessment shows an overall increase in STEM A-level and GCSE entries by girls, including a 12.7% increase in A-level computing entries.
  • The government funds interventions like the gender balance in computing programme to boost girls' participation in STEM subjects.
  • The minister acknowledges the importance of early age stimulation for sparking interest in STEM subjects and supports efforts aimed at pre-school and infant school children.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Antony Higginbotham
Education Women & Equalities
Context

The MP inquired about recent trends and barriers to girls studying STEM subjects, noting an increase in entries but highlighting the importance of qualified teachers.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of trends in the level of uptake of STEM subjects by girls? The increase in A-level computing entries for girls is encouraging, yet there remains a lack of high-quality, qualified teachers in these areas which acts as a significant barrier to entry. Are interventions such as funding programmes being implemented to address this issue?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

We have seen an overall increase in entries for STEM A-levels and GCSEs by girls this year, including a notable 12.7% increase in A-level computing entries. We are funding interventions such as the gender balance in computing programme to further improve girls' participation.

Answered
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Q2 Antony Higginbotham
Education
Context

The MP highlighted the importance of employer interactions in encouraging young people to study STEM subjects, specifically mentioning Burnley College and BAE Systems' efforts.

Question

One of the biggest barriers is the lack of high quality, qualified teachers. Will my hon. Friend join me in congratulating organisations such as Burnley College in my constituency and BAE Systems for encouraging young people to study STEM subjects? Will she encourage more employers to sign up to similar schemes?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

I thank my hon. Friend for highlighting the work taking place in his constituency and extend thanks to Burnley College and BAE Systems. We recognise the value of employer interactions for girls' ambitions, continue leading STEM outreach efforts, and secondary schools are expected to provide pupils with at least one meaningful interaction with employers per year.

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Q3 Barry Sheerman Lab
Education Women & Equalities
Context

The MP argued that early stimulation of young people, especially girls, is crucial to foster an interest in maths and science from a very young age.

Question

The Minister must surely know the importance of stimulating young people at the earliest age. Pre-school and infant school are critical periods for sparking interest in STEM subjects. Does she agree that we need special efforts at these early ages?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

I agree that early age is crucial for starting STEM interests. Learning coding at seven and being an engineer today are not coincidental. We do everything possible to ensure young people, especially girls and women, can pursue STEM careers.

Answered
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Q4 Jesse Norman Con Hereford and South Herefordshire
Education Women & Equalities
Context

The MP discussed a new model of tertiary education institution in Hereford that blends further and higher education with a focus on women's enfranchisement in engineering.

Question

It is delightful to address my former colleague. Is the minister aware of the innovative work being done in Hereford for technology and engineering, combining further and higher education with support for women in engineering? Will she be interested to learn more about this initiative?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

I was not aware of this fantastic work but would love to hear more. I am happy for my right hon. Friend, the Minister for Women and Equalities, to write about it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The initiative's specifics were not addressed directly; only an offer to learn more was given.

How: Not Aware, Will Hear More

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