Headteacher makes controversial statement claiming girls shun Physics n A-levels as they dislike hard maths

Image by The Telegraph

Katharine Birbalsingh, Chair of the Department of Education’s Social Mobility Commission and considered to ‘UK’s strictest headteacher’, has claimed that many girls do not take up Physics as they do not like “hard maths”.

The Wembley-based Michaela Community School headteacher explained to MPs that girls are not very fond of the subject and prefer to opt for subjects like Biology and Chemistry, which are not as mathematically intensive.

She pointed out that only 16% of girls at her school take up Physics and that she will not campaign for this to change as they will “do what they want to do”, despite conversations about more diversity in the field of science.

While addressing the MPs, Birbalsingh said, “Just from my own knowledge of these things, Physics isn’t something that girls tend to fancy. They don’t want to do it. I just think they don’t like it. There’s a lot of hard maths in there that I think that they would rather not do. That’s not to say there isn’t hard stuff to do in Biology and Chemistry – there is, but it’s not mathematical.”

Upon hearing her comments, the Institute of Physics expressed that it was “alarmed” due to the “use of outdated stereotypes” and affirmed that the subject is meant for everyone.

Katharine Birbalsingh, Chair of the Department of Education’s Social Mobility Commission and considered to ‘UK’s strictest headteacher’, has claimed that many girls do not take up Physics as they do not like “hard maths”.

The Wembley-based Michaela Community School headteacher explained to MPs that girls are not very fond of the subject and prefer to opt for subjects like Biology and Chemistry, which are not as mathematically intensive.

She pointed out that only 16% of girls at her school take up Physics and that she will not campaign for this to change as they will “do what they want to do”, despite conversations about more diversity in the field of science.

While addressing the MPs, Birbalsingh said, “Just from my own knowledge of these things, Physics isn’t something that girls tend to fancy. They don’t want to do it. I just think they don’t like it. There’s a lot of hard maths in there that I think that they would rather not do. That’s not to say there isn’t hard stuff to do in Biology and Chemistry – there is, but it’s not mathematical.”

Upon hearing her comments, the Institute of Physics expressed that it was “alarmed” due to the “use of outdated stereotypes” and affirmed that the subject is meant for everyone.