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<p>My Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education has confirmed that she
wants to see improvements to the quality of careers advice and guidance available
to young people. We have issued revised statutory guidance for schools, which strengthens
the requirement to build links with employers to inspire and mentor students. Schools
are free to determine the most appropriate forms of engagement but might consider
mentoring, workplace visits, work experience and employer talks. This will be particularly
helpful in addressing stereotypes about specific career paths and providing young
people with inspirational role models in a range of careers.</p><p>We have made significant
progress in attracting more students to study science and maths at A level. Compared
to 2010, we now have a thousand more girls studying physics every year and two thousand
more girls studying maths. Our most recent A level results show that for the first
time maths is now the most popular A level subject. The proportion of students entering
A levels in biology, chemistry and physics has all increased too.</p><p>However, we
need to go further. The Government has reformed the national curriculum and qualifications,
to ensure that they enable young people to acquire the necessary knowledge and understanding
to progress to further study and employment; we are recruiting top graduates into
teaching by providing bursaries and scholarships in mathematics and the sciences of
up to £25,000; and we are supporting schools through professional development and
enrichment programmes, such as the Stimulating Physics Network and the establishment
of 32 Maths Hubs.</p><p>The Government is also supporting Your Life, a three-year
industry-led campaign, to ensure the UK has the maths and science skills it needs
to succeed in a competitive global economy. The Your Life campaign will help to inspire
young people to study A level maths and physics as a gateway to exciting and wide-ranging
careers, and help employers recruit and retain talent, particularly women.</p><p>
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