A-Level results bust myths about girls and science, say WISE campaigners

This year’s A Level results have broken down the myths about girls and science, according to new analysis from WISE, the campaign for gender balance in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

A new report from WISE says that more science A Levels were awarded to girls than boys for the first time and, in physics and computing, the percentages of girls who were awarded A* and A grades were higher than the percentages of boys. This is despite reforms to the way in which A levels were tested which, as anticipated, led to a drop in the percentage of students awarded A* and A grades.

Releasing its analysis, WISE says there is much to be excited about but that urgent action is needed to speed up the pace of change, and called on employers and academia to work together to inspire girls about the opportunities in engineering and technology.

Helen Wollaston, chief executive of WISE, said: “This year’s results are a fantastic testament to all of the work which has been done over the last few years to encourage more girls to study core STEM subjects. These results should encourage girls, their families and teachers because they show girls are interested in science and they are good at it.

“I want to see teachers sharing this message with girls who are considering which subjects to take at A Level. It’s commonly thought that girls don’t take science subjects because they are ‘too difficult.’ These results prove this isn’t true.”

Earlier this year WISE launched an online career resource - My Skills My Life - with the aim of reaching 200,000 girls in the next five years, collaborating with schools and employers to help girls, their parents and teachers understand the career opportunities open to them by studying STEM subjects.

Click here to read the full WISE analysis.