Monday 20th March 2017

(7 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Rehman Chishti Portrait Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con)
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T4. Will the Minister for School Standards join me in congratulating Rainham School for Girls on winning the national Rotary technology tournament in the 11 to 14 age group? Will he clarify what steps the Government are taking to increase the number of girls taking up STEM subjects?

Nick Gibb Portrait The Minister for School Standards (Mr Nick Gibb)
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I am happy to join my hon. Friend in commending schools that teach subjects well, such as Rainham School for Girls. Good-quality teaching is vital to encouraging more students to study STEM subjects. We are spending up to £67 million over this Parliament to recruit and train more maths and physics teachers, and we are funding programmes, such as the Stimulating Physics Network, which seek to improve the engagement of girls.