Priory addresses gender disparity in ICT

Priory's Head of ICT & Computer Science is taking part in a regional project to address gender disparity in ICT and associated careers. Priory has three ICT/Computing female teachers but department head, Mrs Qadri, admits that is unusual and she is trying to do something about it. 

The statistics say just 19 per cent of tech roles are females and only 20 per cent of Computer Science GCSE students are female nationally. This indicates the problem starts at a young age so we are working with teens to encourage them to consider tech careers,” said Mrs Qadri. 

The Lancashire Careers Hub and Lancashire Digital Skills Partnership have secured a research project funded by, and in collaboration with, The Careers and Enterprise Company. 

Priory has been identified as one of only eight schools to participate, thanks to our strong track record of delivering Computer Science GCSE. 

“The aim of the project is to increase the take-up of Computer Science GCSE among girls through the delivery of high-quality, locally tailored STEM related Careers activities. It will be delivered to Year 8 girls with 30 tracked as part of the project. 

“At Priory, we have myself, Mrs Saunders and Mrs Crank delivering ICT/Computing and that is unusual to have three female teachers. Our mission is to make more girls opt for the subject.” 

Megan in Year 10 has selected Computer Science GCSE: “It’s fun to learn about computers and how they work. 

“My mum has got a degree in Computing so I have always been interested. I guess it is male-dominated but that hasn’t put me off.” 

Katie has her future mapped out – she wants to work on the software for aeroplanes at BAE Systems. 

“When you go on a website, I am fascinated by the fact someone built that and how they do it.  I love aeroplanes and my dad works at BAE so it’s my dream to work there, in aerospace.” 

Year 9s are considering their options and Lucy said: “Computing is cool, it is something I am interested in. I want to learn new things about it and I am considering it as an option.” 

India said: “It is one of my favourite subjects and I like my teacher, Mrs Saunders. The fact she teaches, and they are all female teachers at Priory, inspires me more to take it as one of my options.” 

Katie said: “I am more an outdoors type so I haven’t yet decided what to take as my options. I am not surprised it is more male dominated but it is something I am thinking about.”