Released today, research from The Girls’ Schools Association, The Academic Attainment and Representation of Girls in STEM, overwhelmingly, proves girls’ schools’ on-going dominance in inspiring young women into STEM subjects, and into successful STEM careers.  

Analysing recent datasets from the Department for Education and UCAS, alongside findings from a bespoke survey of girls’ school alumnae conducted by the GSA, the paper demonstrates the power of all girls’ sixth forms in fostering a love of STEM at A level and goes further to reveal that girls from GSA schools are significantly more likely to study STEM based degrees, and enter STEM based careers, breaking glass ceilings and challenging stereotypes. 

Girls in girls’ schools continue to perform better than students in co-ed schools across all schools. 

Key findings reveal  

STEM Subject Participation at A-Level  

  • Girls attending all-girls’ sixth forms are significantly more likely to study mathematics and science at A-level than their counterparts in co-educational schools.  
  • They are 2.9 times more likely to take Further Mathematics.  
  • They are 2.3 times more likely to take Physics at A-level.  
  • They are also more likely to take other sciences: o Biology (38% higher)  
  • Chemistry (83% higher)  
  • Computer Science (79% higher)  

STEM Subject Participation at University  

  • Girls from all-girls’ sixth forms are significantly more likely to pursue mathematics and science degrees at university compared to the national average for girls.  
  • They are more than four times more likely to apply for mathematics courses.  
  • They are twice as likely to apply for physical and biological sciences.  
  • They are 40% more likely to apply for engineering degrees.  

STEM Careers  

  • Graduates from all-girls’ schools are also significantly more likely to enter STEM careers.  
  • 50% of alumnae have worked in a STEM-related field at some point in their careers, despite women currently making up only 8% of the overall STEM workforce/ 
  • The most popular STEM career paths among alumnae were finance, medicine, and computing.  
  • 1 in 6 girls’ school alumnae have worked in a finance related role. Nationally, only 3% of working women currently work in finance.  

The finding on engineering is particularly noteworthy, as Engineering UK1 reports that the sector accounts for 20% of UK jobs and 25% of vacancies, underscoring the importance of encouraging more women into this field.  

 Academic Performance  

  • The analysis also confirms that girls in single-sex schools consistently outperform their peers in co-educational schools at both Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5. 

 Donna Stevens, GSA Chief Executive, comments: 

 “This research report reveals persuasive proof points for why choosing a girls-only school is a best choice for young women, if they are to achieve their fullest potential. Girls from GSA schools break barriers, and this is particularly shown in our girls’ uptake of, and success in, STEM subjects. Girls attending all-girls’ sixth forms are making significant strides in comparison to their peers in co-educational schools, and that advantage extends beyond school with more girls from all-girls’ sixth forms pursuing mathematics and science degrees at university compared with the national average for girls. An impressive 50% of our alumnae have worked in a STEM-related field during their career, despite women making up only 8% of the overall STEM workforce currently. Our confident and capable young women, with their extraordinary academic achievements, are a continued testament to the enduring power and purpose of girls’ schools. GSA schools are built for young women and remain the blueprint for the best, and most complete, educations for girls. It is vital that we make it a priority for young women to access them, for generations to come.”   

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