Government push for more girls in maths and AI

Part of the Advanced Maths Support Programme, the funding will be targeted at around 7,500 girls from 400 disadvantaged secondary schools. According to the Department of Education (DfE), only a third of current A level maths students are girls, with women making up around a fifth (22 per cent) of those working in AI-related sectors such as software engineering and data science.

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“Today’s brightest maths minds are tomorrow’s AI pioneers, and this government is opening the door for groups who have so far been left behind in the AI revolution,” said education secretary, Bridget Phillipson. 

The revamped Advanced Maths Support Programme also includes pilot teacher training and student enrichment courses on the key maths concepts and skills needed for AI. It’s claimed this will benefit 450 students and 360 teachers from September 2025. 

Elsewhere, the DfE is forming a new panel to investigate what curriculum changes are needed to improve digital education and deliver the AI-specific skills young people will need in the coming years. The Digital, AI and Technology Task and Finish Group will provide recommendations to the department, helping to inform the DfE’s Curriculum and Assessment Review that is currently under way. According to science secretary Peter Kyle, boosting digital skills now is essential to prepare the workforce of tomorrow for the challenges ahead.