Science and maths
GDST schools effectively encourage pupils to excel in a broad range of subjects.

We firmly believe that, with the right encouragement, students can excel at the so-called ‘hard’ sciences and at maths. Three of the four most popular subjects at A Level are Biology, Chemistry and Maths.

We are proud of challenging the stereotypes which say that there are some subjects which are ‘not for girls’ and others which are 'not for boys'.

Surveys amongst alumnae and current pupils have shown that a great many GDST pupils who choose sciences at A Level do so because they feel encouraged by the school environment to do so.

44% of our A Level students take at least one science subject. On average, over twice as many girls at GDST schools choose physics at A Level as the national average (10.4% against 4.4% in 2006). There are similar proportions for the take-up of Biology and Chemistry.

If all female students studied science in the same numbers as they do at GDST schools we would have 8,000 more physics A Levels nationally every year, 19,000 more chemistry ones and 13,000 more in biology.

At A Level, 40 per cent of GDST girls who sit a science subject get an A in that subject.

The take-up of science and related subjects at university by GDST pupils is also high.

At University, 35% of our 2006 leavers are doing a science, medicine, maths, engineering or related subject. A further 5% study one of these subjects as part of a combined degree course.

In 2006, nearly 12% of our graduates studied medicine and dentistry, compared to 2.5% nationally. A further 6% of GDST alumnae chose subjects allied to medicine (including pharmacy).