Closing Doors: Exploring Gender and Subject Choice in Schools

This report explores the differences in uptake of 'gendered' subjects at A level in schools between girls and boys. In a previous report, It's Different for Girls (2012), the Institute of Physics looked at progression into A Level physics and the patterns of difference in participation between girls and boys. Other subjects can also tend to be gender-biased and Closing Doors looks at six such subjects, three with a male bias and three with a female bias. For each co-educational school in England, the report looks at how the school compares in terms of its gender progression relative to the national figures. The reports lists nine recommendations along with its findings. It also includes suggestions for further resources which give advice on engaging girls in physics and achieving gender-inclusive teaching.