THE UNIVERSITY of Reading has shared figures which show that the proportion of girls taking Computing at GCSE level has halved.
Researchers have warned that changes to the school curriculum could contribute to the male domination of digital spaces as well as the UK’s aim to be a technology “superpower.”
Figures from research led by Kings College London showed that in 2015, 43% of those taking ICT at GCSE were girls, compared to 21% last year.
The research was conducted in partnership with Professor Billy Wong at the University of Reading, with funding from the Nuffield Foundation.
Of girls who did not take the GCSE, 74% of those asked explained that didn’t expect to enjoy the curriculum.
The study suggested that digital media and project work, which they said appealed more to girls, had been included in older ICT curricula, but were largely absent from modern computing courses.
It was part of the Subject Choice, Attainment, and Representation in Computing project (SCARI), which surveyed of almost 5,000 students and consulted 45 major stakeholders, including teachers and school leaders.
It also examined nearly 1,000 school documents, finding that a number teachers and educators were dissatisfied with the new curriculum.
Many felt they were “unprepared” to teach the new curriculum, calling for better access to professional development, particularly surrounding equality and inclusion in the sector.
The publication has called on more commitment from policy-makers, educators, and businesses to reform the curriculum to focus on broader skills, support inclusive education, and promote professional development.
Professor Wong said: “The changes made to the secondary school computer science curriculum have only served to reduce the potential for equity between genders. In addition, girls are particularly affected by gender disparities, teacher dissatisfaction, negative stereotypes, and outdated policies.
“There is also a serious lack of visible role models for girls in computer science. When we asked pupils to name famous computing people, male tech entrepreneurs such as Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg were mentioned frequently. Only two women – Grace Hopper and Ada Lovelace – both of whom are long deceased, featured in the pupils’ top 10.
“Our previous research also showed that the GCSE computer science curriculum does not cater to the interests of girls and their potential careers. It clearly isn’t working and must be overhauled, with equity in mind.”
Principal investigator Dr Peter Kemp, Senior Lecturer in Computing Education at King’s College London, said: “It is imperative that we see action to encourage more girls to take computing at school so they can develop the digital skills they will need to be able to participate in and shape our world.
“The current GCSE is focused on computer science and developing programming skills, and this seems to deter some young people, in particular girls, from taking up the subject. We need to ensure computing is a subject that is appealing to all pupils and meets the needs of young people and society.”
Dr Emily Tanner, Programme Head at the Nuffield Foundation, said: “This report demonstrates that changes are needed to ensure that girls have equal access to the digital and technological jobs of the future.
“Stronger links between employers and educators would help the curriculum keep pace with rapid changes in the labour market.”
