IOP hails physics A-level popularity but low proportion of girls “deeply concerning”

Responding to today’s exam results, Institute of Physics (IOP) group chief executive, Tom Grinyer, said: “Congratulations to all the students receiving their hard-earned results. Today has seen a record rise in the numbers of students studying physics at A-level, with an increase of 12% on last year (to 43,115 entrants), taking us back to levels not seen since the 1990s.

“This is fantastic news, not just for young people themselves but for our society and economy. We have a serious shortage of skills and talent in the physics-powered technologies that will shape our society, from green energy to quantum technologies and semiconductors, and we know from employers that there are thousands of vacancies for people with physics skills.

“After years of falling numbers, it’s fantastic to see more young people fired up by these opportunities.

“However, it remains deeply concerning that despite the welcome overall rise in numbers taking A-level physics there is only a small increase in the proportion of candidates who are girls, rising from 22.9% to 23.3% of this year’s total. We still need to acknowledge that girls are still much less likely to pursue physics than boys and continue to tackle this gap.

“Physics is only the 15th most popular subject amongst girls (and second amongst boys) and IOP research shows that too many girls, and other young people from underrepresented groups, are put off by outdated stereotypes. We must do more to show that whoever you are, wherever you come from, physics can be for you.

“We must also take action to close the estimated 3,500 physics teacher gap across England, by recruiting, retraining and retaining specialist physics teachers to ensure that all young people have the opportunity of a high-quality physics education.

“And, alongside A-levels, we must continue to encourage uptake of high-quality technical routes such as T-levels that unlock rewarding opportunities in further study, training, and employment.

“This means taking action on some of the barriers preventing large-scale T-level take-up, such as a shortage of industry placements, which many employers tell us they find too complicated.”

Responding in Wales to today’s exam results, Eluned Parrott, head of IOP Wales, said: “The increase in physics A-level students is fantastic, but gender parity remains a challenge. At this month’s Eisteddfod, we saw young girls and boys from all across different parts of Wales show an equal interest in physics and real enthusiasm for engaging in our activities, yet this gender parity is not reflected at A-level. The Welsh Government must ensure equal opportunities for all and challenge the stereotypes young people in Wales face that puts them off pursuing a pathway in physics.

“The Welsh Government can do this by prioritising the recruitment, retention, and retraining of physics specialists so every secondary school student has access to a specialist physics teacher. Physics currently faces the largest teacher shortage among core subjects in Wales. This is hindering young people’s pursuit of physics post-16 and depriving the economy of essential skills.”

IOP co-head of Ireland and Northern Ireland Lee Reynolds said: “Today has seen an important rise in the numbers of students studying physics at A-level, with an increase of 3.7% in Northern Ireland. However, this step forward is notably lower than the 12.3% rise in England and 6.6% rise in Wales. All growth is welcome but Northern Ireland has the lowest physics uptake in the UK and this means the gap is widening.

“We are concerned that despite the overall rise in numbers and the proportion of girls has slipped back. While Northern Ireland still has the highest proportion of girls in the UK studying physics and after years of growth, it has dropped down to 29%, below the IOP’s ambition of 30%.

“Our research shows that too many girls, and other young people from underrepresented groups, are put off by outdated stereotypes. We must do more to show that whoever you are, wherever you come from, physics can be for you.”