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Encouraging girls into GCSE computer science - short course

CP440 Live remote training course

Explore the big picture with the current gender imbalance in GCSE computer science between girls and boys. Forming part of the I Belong programme, you’ll explore reasons for this gap, including, lack of role models, unconscious bias, and a non-inclusive curriculum amongst others. Consider different strategies inside and outside of the classroom to support the narrowing of the gap before finally planning effective interventions in KS3 to improve the uptake in your own school.

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Leadership Key stage 3 Key stage 4 Teach secondary computing certificate
Live remote training course 2 hours

  • Live remote training 16 October 15:00—16 October 2024
  • Live remote training 21 October 16:00—21 October 2024
  • Live remote training 18 November 16:00—18 November 2024
  • Live remote training 5 December 13:00—5 December 2024
  • Live remote training 6 December 15:00—6 December 2024
  • Live remote training 8 May 16:00—8 May 2025
  • Live remote training 22 May 15:30—22 May 2025
  • Live remote training 14 July 16:00—14 July 2025

There is a gender imbalance in computing that needs to be addressed. Girls are under-represented in GCSE / A Level computer science:

  • 21% of GCSE CS entries in 2023 were girls
  • 15% of A level CS entries in 2023 were girls
  • 21% of students applying for computing-related degrees were girls

Yet, girls outperformed boys in GCSE computer science, with 40.6% of girls achieving a 7/A grade compared with 32.3% of boys.

Strategies need to be adopted inside and outside of the classroom to support girls into computer science. This course provides an overview of the current challenges in computing with a specific focus on gender balance, covering current research and existing barriers. Participants will explore curriculum design and specific in-class strategies schools can implement and embed in raising the engagement and uptake of computer science for all.

This course is part of the NCCE’s ‘I Belong: encouraging girls into computer science’ programme. For more information visit the website.

Who is it for?

Teachers and curriculum leaders in secondary computing.

Topics covered

Encouraging girls into GCSE CS - explore the big picture of the current gap in uptake at GCSE between girls and boys. Be part of discussions around reasons for this gap, including, lack of role models, unconscious bias, and a non-inclusive curriculum amongst others. Consider different strategies inside and outside of the classroom to support the narrowing of the gap before finally planning effective interventions in KS3 to improve the uptake in your own school.

How long is this course?

This short course runs for 120 minutes.

How will you learn?

A single scheduled live, interactive online session led by an experienced practitioner. 

Outcomes

By the end of this course you will be able to:

  • discuss the issues and national trends affecting recruitment of girls into GCSE computer science
  • evaluate a range of strategies to make computer science more inclusive
  • plan effective intervention to increase recruitment at KS4

I Belong: encouraging girls into computer science

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This course is part of Teach secondary computing

Teach secondary computing

Our nationally recognised qualification will give you confidence to take your computing teaching to the next level and to apply those skills in the classroom.

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This course is from the National Centre for Computing Education and is delivered by STEM Learning.

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