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Number of girls in England taking computing GCSE plummets, study finds

Introduction of new syllabus may be reason number of girls taking subject more than halved in eight years, academics say

While the government’s reforms were aimed at creating “more academically challenging and knowledge-based” qualifications, the introduction of the new syllabus has had the unintended consequence of driving female entries down, according to new research by King’s College London. “However, these successes have coincided with a general decline in computing and digital skills education at the secondary school level, particularly affecting girls, certain ethnic groups and students from underserved socioeconomic backgrounds,” it said. Maggie Philbin, atechnology broadcaster and the director of TeenTech, which promotes digital skills, added: “At the moment, many students see the subject as ‘difficult’ and vote with their feet if they are aiming for the best grades.

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