The Department for Education-funded trial will work with teachers on inclusive teaching and whole-school approaches to tackling gender stereotyping.
The randomised control trial will see half of participating schools receiving a wide-ranging programme of valuable evidence-based support including: training and CPD for teachers, the development of a whole-school strategy to combat gender stereotyping, options evenings, careers guidance, student-led projects, and a dedicated IoP coach.
Currently only 13 per cent of girls who achieved grade A or A* in GCSE physics go on to study the subject at A level. This compares to 39 per cent of boys (Institute of Fiscal Studies, 2018).
The trial is open to all state-funded co-ed secondary schools where a gap currently exists between the proportion of girls and boys taking physics A level as well as all-girls schools with a low number of girls progressing to physics A level. The deadline for applications is May 31.