The Institute of Physics’ has invited schools to join its Improving Gender Balance national research trial. 

This is free to schools, funded by the Department for Education and will work with teachers on approaches to tackling gender stereotyping that limit both boys’ and girls’ choices.

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The trial seeks, in particular, to increase the number of girls taking physics at A level - for 30 years, only one-fifth of candidates have been female. 

Programme manager Beth Bramley said: “Physics is hugely rewarding subject to study at A level and a gateway subject to so many exciting career roles and higher education options. 

“We want to ensure that as many young people as possible, irrespective of gender, have the chance to benefit from the opportunities it can open up.”

A randomised control trial will involve half of participating schools receiving support including CPD for teachers, development of a whole-school strategy to combat gender stereotyping and a dedicated coach from the Institute of Physics.

The institute said that, in a previous smaller-scale project in 2014-16, the number of girls taking A-level physics more than trebled.

While girls make up 55 per cent of all A levels awarded, this falls to 43 percent for Stem (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects and only 22 per cent for physics.

The trial is open to all state-funded co-educational secondary schools where a gap exists between the proportion of girls and boys taking physics A-level and also to girls’ schools with a relatively low number of pupils taking A level physics.

Applications are open until 31 May. For more details, go to: beta.iop.org/IGBtrial