In September 2019, educational-tech charity Founders4Schools, in partnership with 100Women In Finance, launched the Maths4Girls initiative to inspire the next generation of girls to feel confident and to excel in maths at GCSE, A-Level and beyond.
The initiative connects young girls in primary and secondary schools with trailblazing female (and male) role models that use maths in their work and in their day-to-day lives. Despite evidence of girls’ and boys’ equal ability in maths at GCSE, in 2018 only 39% of Maths A-Levels were taken by girls (28% Further Maths A-Levels). The under-representation of girls in maths matters both at an individual level and a societal level.
The project so far has held workshops in company offices and facilitated Maths4Girls events across London schools. The London pilot phase is currently being evaluated and the next phase will scale the programme out to the rest of England and Scotland.
The initiative is currently looking for volunteers; if you would like to inspire the next generation to become more confident and excel at maths, please find more information and sign up at founders4schools.org.uk/partners/100women/leader/ (please choose 'The Royal Statistical Society' in the 'where did you hear about us?’ field).