gender differences xx

At which educational stage are girls consistently ahead of boys, and by how much?

At Key Stages 1 to 3, girls outperform boys, with the gender gap in English being significant, though smaller in math and science.

What does the data show about GCSE performance?

The gender gap at GCSE is about 10 percentage points, with girls achieving higher grades.

How does the gender gap at A-level compare to GCSE?

The gap is narrower at A-level, but girls are still more likely to achieve higher grades.

How have external factors influenced girls' achievement?

Changes such as the impact of feminism, family structure shifts, increased women’s employment, and changing aspirations have improved girls' academic performance

How has feminism influenced girls' educational achievement?

Feminism has raised expectations and self-esteem, emphasizing independence and career ambitions over traditional roles.

What family changes since the 1970s have influenced girls’ achievements?

1. Increased divorce rates

2. Rise in cohabitation and lone-parent families

3. Smaller family sizes

4. Women taking on breadwinner roles

How have changes in women's employment impacted education?

Equal pay laws, reduced pay gaps, increased employment, and breaking glass ceilings have motivated girls to pursue education for career success.

What did Sue Sharpe's research in 1974 and the 1990s show about girls' aspirations?

In 1974, girls prioritized love and family over careers. By the 1990s, ambitions shifted toward independence and careers.