What steps she is taking to promote STEM courses across the education system.
Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.High and rising school standards are at the heart of the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start in life.The government is committed to ensuring that anyone, can pursue an education and career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects.An important focus is on primary mathematics where the government has a commitment to improve the quality of mathematics teaching across nurseries and primary schools, learning from the success of phonics. The government continues to support continuing professional development for mathematics teachers in schools and post-16 institutions. Mathematics is the most popular A level.To support the teaching of computing and increase participation in computer science qualifications, the government funds the National Centre for Computing Education. This support includes programmes designed to encourage greater participation from girls and industry-led events that raise pupils’ awareness of careers in computing.In science, to ensure that every pupil has access to high-quality teaching, the department funds the ‘Subject Knowledge for Physics Teachers’ programme. This intensive retraining programme comprises six modules to upskill non-specialist teachers of physics and enhance their subject knowledge, confidence and pedagogical knowledge.Oak National Academy also offers free, optional and adaptable materials for use at key stages 1 to 4 in mathematics, computing and all three sciences.The department also funds the STEM Ambassadors programme, a nationwide network of over 30,000 registered volunteers representing thousands of employers, who engage with young people to increase their interest in STEM subjects and to raise awareness of the range of careers that STEM qualifications offer.The government will continue to support learners who wish to have a career in STEM through its technical education offer, with a range of high-quality qualifications and apprenticeship opportunities at all levels. Examples of this include:12 T Levels in STEM subjects, including engineering, science, digital and media. T Levels are promoted to young people via the Skills for Life national communications campaign.Over 370 employer-designed apprenticeship standards in STEM. Apprenticeships are a great way for anyone, regardless of their background, to receive high-quality training and skills to begin, or progress in, a successful career in STEM.We have also established a comprehensive network of 21 Institutes of Technology across England to significantly increase the number of learners with higher technical skills in key STEM sectors, such as manufacturing and engineering, construction and digital.The department has announced an Initial Teacher Training financial incentives package for the 2025/26 academic year recruitment cycle worth £233 million, which is a £37 million increase on the last cycle. This includes a range of measures, including bursaries worth £29,000 tax-free and scholarships worth £31,000 tax-free, to encourage talented trainees to key subjects such as mathematics, physics, chemistry and computing. For the 2024/25 and 2025/26 academic years, the government is offering a targeted retention incentive worth up to £6,000 after tax for mathematics, physics, chemistry and computing teachers in the first five years of their careers who choose to work in disadvantaged schools. This will support recruitment and retention of specialist teachers in these subjects and in the schools and areas that need them most.