Increase in number of girls taking GCSE computing exams in 2022
A rebound in the number of feminine college students opting to take a seat the GCSE computing examination has occurred throughout 2022, with the number returning to 2019 ranges after two successive years of decline.
The number of feminine candidates who studied GCSE computing hit 17,264 this 12 months, which is on a par with the 2019 outcomes, when 17,158 sat exams in the topic.
The intervening years of 2020 and 2021 noticed the number of feminine college students learning the topic fall to 16,919 and 16,549 respectively, prompting calls from business consultants for extra to be completed to encourage younger ladies to examine computing and pursue careers in the fields of science, know-how, engineering and maths (STEM).
The number of male college students learning the topic remained broadly the identical as in 2021, when 63,415 sat exams in GCSE computing, whereas this 12 months 63,856 had been counted as doing so.
Overall, the number of college students learning the topic rose from 79,964 in 2021 to 81,120 this 12 months, which will be solely attributed to the uptick in the number of feminine college students who studied it.
Where each sexes are involved, there was a marked year-on-year lower in the number of college students reaching a 7/A from a excessive of 39.7% in 2021 to 34.1% this 12 months – which is in line with different topics, as famous by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ).
The organisation stated outcomes had been larger general in 2022 in contrast with 2019, however had been decrease than 2021 as a result of final 12 months’s outcomes had been primarily based on instructor assessments relatively than exams.
As in earlier years, feminine college students proceed to outperform their male counterparts in computing, with 40.6% girls reaching a 7/A grade in contrast with 32.3% boys sitting the topic.
Julia Adamson, director of schooling on the BCS, Chartered Institute of IT, stated the uptick in the number of feminine college students sitting the GCSE Computing examination was trigger for celebration – however not complacency.
“It’s fantastic news that girls continue to take up computer science qualifications at similar levels to previous years and achieve good grades,” she stated. “However, we can’t be complacent, and we have to see extra girls learning this thrilling and artistic topic.
“One factor all of us realized throughout the pandemic is that digital abilities are very important for all, offering the instruments to take an energetic half in society, help profession prospects and enhance the UK financial system in the long term.
“I hope that many of today’s pupils will continue to deliver their knowledge in this subject, and I wish them every success in their future endeavours,” stated Adamson.
Year-on-year will increase
Outside of computing, there have been year-on-year will increase reported for the number of college students sitting biology (1.3%), physics (1%), double award science (0.9%) and chemistry (0.6%) exams in contrast with 2021, which was accompanied by improved outcomes in all of these topics in contrast with 2019.
Red flags have been raised, nevertheless, concerning the decline in the number of college students who sat exams in different core STEM topics, with the number learning engineering, ICT, arithmetic, additional maths and physics all down by 1.58% this 12 months.
These numbers are an indication that extra work must be completed to encourage younger folks to interact with STEM topics if there’s any hope of closing the talents hole, stated Agata Nowakowska, space vice-president for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) on-line schooling supplier Skillsoft.
“With the UK’s economic future contingent on closing the skills gap, these figures highlight the need for further investment in initiatives to support and encourage young people into the sector,” she stated.
“Schools and businesses need to work in tandem to showcase the career paths available and offer young people a clear way to gain the vital skills needed,” stated Nowakowska. “It’s also essential to support organisations such as In2scienceUK, which are working to help young people from disadvantaged backgrounds get into STEM. At the end of the day, investing in the youth is an investment in the future.”
