How accessible is the STEM post 16 education?

In conclusion,

STEM A’level Provision is typically good

STEM A’level Provision is better in the North than in the South

Computer Studies is poorly offered

STEM A'level provision is dispersed across the counties in both Kent & Medway and South Yorkshire

The Maths provision post 16 is very good

Degree with Foundation Year attracts students who would otherwise be lost - it provides a second chance.

References

EngineeringUK (2018) Engineering UK 2018 Synopsis and recommendations, Engineering UK, [on-line at] https://www.engineeringuk.com/media/1576/7444_enguk18_synopsis_standalone_aw.pdf

House of Commons

Science and Technology

Committee (2017) Digital skills crisis

Second Report of Session 2016–17, UK Parliament, [on-line at] https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmsctech/270/270.pdf

Office for National Statistics (2017) Overview of the UK population: March 2017, [on-line at] https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/articles/overviewoftheukpopulation/mar2017

Office for National Statistics (2018) Population estimates for the UK, England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland: mid-2017, Office of National Statistics, [on-line at] https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/bulletins/annualmidyearpopulationestimates/mid2017

How accessible is the STEM post 16 education provision in UK, and what are the implications for HE Computing and Engineering programs’ pipeline?

Anne Nortcliffe, Roz Barley & Jacqueline Stallard

Reality Why Students Study Foundation Year of Degree

Programs?

I did not have

the qualifications

A level grades weren't good enough for the full degree.

Unable to study the full degree with my current grades

I ended getting a grade below the requirement

Introduction

I did not get the

grades required

in my A'levels

I didn't had enough

qualifications to go

to the degree I

wanted to

Did bad in my A'levels

I chose the foundation year degree as a result of failing maths at A'Level

The foundation year has enabled me to go back into education after having children. I feel like I can now make a difference and be a mother they can be proud of.

Conclusion

• EngineeringUK (2018) estimates shortfall of 22,000 engineers per year
• By 2024 the engineering shortfall in the UK will be 160,000 engineers
• House of Commons Science and Technology Committee (2017) highlighted that the UK Digital Skills Gap is costing the UK economy £63Bn GDP
• Restrictive entry requirements to MEng/BEng/BSc Engineering and Computing programs accredited programs or programs seeking accreditation by IET, IMechE and BCS
• The pipeline of students to HEI is, therefore, challenging

Is there a Case to

Change entry Requirements?

Bullough (2017), and Andrews et al (2017) at EERN UK & I Symposium Nov'17;

Students without Maths A'level have mixed progression and retention

Female students with Maths A'level progressed v. well

Students without maths lack engineering and computing awareness (Andrews et al 2016)

Confidence in engineering and computing subjects drops from Primary to Secondary to HE, (EngineeringUK 2018)

Study on a foundation degree helps to address the lack of a level 3 maths qualification (Grayson 2010)

Foundation

Entry Requirements?

% students who perceive that they can be an engineer (EngineeringUK 2018)

Potential computing and engineering foundation students portray 6 Habits of Mind, (Lucas et al 2014). Our Foundation students are made up of:

STEM A'level students who did not achieve their expected grades

Non-STEM A'level who did achieve their expected grades

Mature STEM A'level students who achieved their expected grades but lacked the opportunity for further

study at age 18

11-14 yrs 14-16yrs 16-18yrs

National STEM Pipeline

In 2016, Cornock Cook (2016);

9% of students took A'level Physics

3% females took A'level Physics

Therefore there is a 2:1 male:female ratio for A'level Physics

2.3% males took A'level Further Maths

Only 0.9% females took A'level Further Maths

Only 5.8% students who took a STEM A'level proceeded to Engineering at a HEI

Source: Office for National Statistics (2017)

Example of North and South Demographics, Office National Statistics (2018)

City age distribution 2017, Office of National Statistics (2018)

UK Age Demographics

Kent & Medway Geographical Access to STEM A'levels

North South University Recruitment Divide

STEM Pipeline Demographics;

UK v South Yorkshire v Kent & Medway

average 77 Students per school

South Yorkshire Geographical Access to STEM A'levels

STEM Subject Pipeline

UK

v

Kent & Medway

v

South Yorkshire

Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics

average 105 Students per school