The government has committed £8.2 million as part of its Plan for Change and AI action plan to increase the amount of girls and disadvantaged pupils taking up advanced maths as a pathway to AI careers.
The funding is part of the refreshed Advanced Maths Support Programme (AMPS) which will include new teacher training courses, student enrichment courses for key maths concepts, and AI skills training in a bid to increase skills and productivity in the future workforce.
It’s estimated around 7,500 girls will be eligible for the support, with the funding targeting pupils in 400 disadvantaged secondary schools.
The investment marks the next steps on delivering the governments AI action plan announced this January, aimed at creating a strong and diverse AI talent pool. Speaking on the plans, education secretary Bridget Phillipson said “the government is opening the door for groups who have so far been left behind in the AI revolution”.
The Department for Educations said the plan: “Marks a crucial step in delivering a key commitment in the government’s AI Action Plan – creating a strong talent pipeline and driving greater diversity across the AI talent pool.”
A study from Dr Nisreen Ameen of Royal Holloway, University of London revealed currently only a third of A level maths pupils are girls and only 22 per cent of professionals working in AI related roles are women.
Additionally, 32.9 per cent of disadvantaged students achieved a strong pass (grade five or above) in GCSE Maths compared to 60.2 per cent non-disadvantaged in 2024. This trend continued into further education, with students from disadvantaged backgrounds performing less well in a Maths A level and Further Maths compared to non-disadvantaged students.
Ellie Sleightholm, a software developer who completed a Master’s in maths at Cambridge University shared: “Too many girls rule themselves out of maths before they’ve even had the chance to see what they’re capable of… [the investment is] about showing thousands of young women that they belong in these spaces”
Phillipson promoted the AI action plan and the new inititatives focus on addressing inequalities, saying: “We are breaking down barriers to opportunity, backing our young people and going further and faster for AI growth, ensuring the next generation can progress in the exciting careers of the future.”
The education secretary will also convene a group of experts to advise on what changes are needed in the education system to improve digital education and AI skills.
Science secretary Peter Kyle echoed the education secretary’s words, explaining the plans aim to “give every young person in the country the opportunity to develop the tools which will put them front and centre in delivering our AI-powered future.”
The comments reflect the government hope that the AI action plan will create long term growth and boost the UK’s economic performance, with Kyle commenting: “AI is the defining technology of our generation, improving our public services, sparking fresh economic growth, and unlocking the jobs of the future”
Key industry figures have welcomed the government’s announcement and the wider AI action plan. CEO of the Sixth Form Colleges Bill Watkin said “This is a very welcome initiative” while Dr. Erin Young, Head of Innovation and Technology Policy at the Institute of Directors said: “Ensuring that girls and students from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds have access to relevant educational pathways such as advanced maths is not only fair, but it is also a strategic economic imperative”
Featured image via Number 10/Flickr.
