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Girls dissuaded from choosing Physics at A-level (BBC Breakfast, 9th Dec 2013) )

Stephen Booth
Did anyone else see the item on Physics A-level on BBC Breakfast this morning?  Apparently girls choosign their A-Levels are being actively discouraged from choosing it by their teachers on the grounds that it's not a girls subject.  Fortunately I wasn't eating or drinking at the moment that was said else my TV and the wall around it my have gotten a brand new coating.  Apparently the only STEM subject deemed suitable for the delicate sensibilities of young ladies, by their teachers, is Biology.



They did report that whilst schools with no sixth form (so pupils have to go to a college or another school) tend to be very poor in supporting girls in choosing Physics A-Level where the school has it's own sixth form a higher proportion of girls do choose to study Physics as they can often see girls from the previous 2 years doing the subject so the "Physics isn't for girls" arguement is weakened.


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  • 0
    I know this post is a bit late but I just had to add my comments..



    It always astounds me that teachers are allowed to get away with this behaviour.  They dont seem to understand that children should not be pigeon-holed and presuaded to go down a route that they ultimatly dont want to take or activly blocked from doing what they really want to do. 



    It was a fair while ago now but I remember my guidance teacher telling my parents that I should not bother doing an engineering degree as I would find it too hard... I got a 1st class honours.



    My Engish teacher also prevented me from studying higher English (Scottish equivalent to A level) even though I got a high mark in my standard grades (O-level).



    Now i'm not that bothered that I didn't do English but what would have happened if I listened to them about Engineering?!?



    On the other hand I had an excellent Technical teacher who butted into a parent-teacher meeting I was having with another teacher to tell my parents he would love to have me in his class.



    Teachers have so much influence over the lives of their pupils and that influence can completely change the course of that childs life.  It should not be taken lightly and their predjudice should never be vocilised in front of the students.



    I am going to be speaking in front of 11-18 years olds about the importance of awareness of STEM subjects at an early age however I think teacher and parent awareness is probably just (if not more) important as they have the most influence over a childs decision making process.
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  • 0
    I know this post is a bit late but I just had to add my comments..



    It always astounds me that teachers are allowed to get away with this behaviour.  They dont seem to understand that children should not be pigeon-holed and presuaded to go down a route that they ultimatly dont want to take or activly blocked from doing what they really want to do. 



    It was a fair while ago now but I remember my guidance teacher telling my parents that I should not bother doing an engineering degree as I would find it too hard... I got a 1st class honours.



    My Engish teacher also prevented me from studying higher English (Scottish equivalent to A level) even though I got a high mark in my standard grades (O-level).



    Now i'm not that bothered that I didn't do English but what would have happened if I listened to them about Engineering?!?



    On the other hand I had an excellent Technical teacher who butted into a parent-teacher meeting I was having with another teacher to tell my parents he would love to have me in his class.



    Teachers have so much influence over the lives of their pupils and that influence can completely change the course of that childs life.  It should not be taken lightly and their predjudice should never be vocilised in front of the students.



    I am going to be speaking in front of 11-18 years olds about the importance of awareness of STEM subjects at an early age however I think teacher and parent awareness is probably just (if not more) important as they have the most influence over a childs decision making process.
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