Fearless Women in Computing 2025: Inspiring Scotland’s Next Generation of Girls in Tech

On Tuesday 11 November, St George’s will proudly host our third annual Fearless Women in Computing, Scotland’s flagship event designed to inspire girls to see their future in technology.

Why do we do this?

In education in Scotland, Computing has the largest gender gap of any STEM subject and has done for over a decade. Recent provisional statistics shows that of Computing Science Nat5/GCSE level candidates only 22% are female, and only 21% female candidates to Higher and 20% to Advanced Higher.

The impact of this gap potentially results in innovation and industry building unconscious bias into vital products and services, which inadvertently affects over 50% of our population. AI systems being built today will shape societal norms and structures for decades to come and so women need to be in the room to make the rules. While we know this gap negatively impacts society, both economically and socially - and business and industry is working hard to address the gender gap with strategies and ED&I policies - if we are to truly achieve parity, the challenge begins with girls, and the choices they make while they are at school. To make a sustainable difference, more girls need to be attracted to a career in tech in order to build the pipeline.

We’re proud that St George's girls buck the trend in choosing STEM subjects, and study and career paths that don’t fit the stereotypes. This is because:

• Computing Science is offered as a core subject from Primary 5 to S2, meaning 100% of girls study it through those years.
• At GCSE, numbers have doubled in recent years, increasing from around seven pupils per class to roughly fourteen.
• At Higher, around 80% of pupils achieve an A grade, and our Advanced Higher class this year has three pupils, which is above the Scottish average for girls continuing in the subject.
• Our primary-to-senior computing curriculum builds progressively, giving continuity and confidence to learners at every stage.
• The Dress Code Coding Club began three years ago with just three pupils and now has around twenty active members, reflecting growing enthusiasm for computing beyond the classroom.

As a direct result of experiencing a girl-shaped learning environment, with great role models, lots of encouragement and opportunity, and zero judgement our girls excel in STEM siubjects. However we are passionate about improving gender diversity and opportunities for all girls, and this is a key community outreach activity which helps us grow our impact far beyond our own school gates.

We’re proud that St George's girls buck the trend in choosing STEM subjects, and study and career paths that don’t fit the stereotypes. We know this is a direct result of experiencing a girl-shaped learning environment, with great role models, lots of encouragement and opportunity, and zero judgement. We are passionate about improving gender diversity and opportunities for all girls, and this is a key community outreach activity which helps us grow our impact far beyond our own school gates.

“These events mark a significant step towards addressing the gender disparity in computing science and technology.”
Carol Chandler-Thompson, Head of St George’s

What is happening?

This immersive day brings together schools, companies and innovators to create a vibrant, hands-on experience. Students will dive into coding challenges, creative workshops and hear from trailblazing women shaping the tech industry. From targeted workshops tailored to each school’s interests, to festival-style halls packed with interactive demos, the event is all about sparking curiosity and confidence.

We’re thrilled to welcome keynote speakers and partners including Toni Scullion (Scottish Teachers Advancing Computing Science and dressCode founder), Sharon Moore MBE (IBM), i-confidential, RBS, and many more. Skyscanner has once again committed to sponsor transport for state schools travel, making this event accessible to girls right across the city.

Lasting impact

Last year, 600 girls from 13 diverse state and independent schools across four council areas attended, alongside more than 30 participating companies including Amazon, Canva, Dresscode, Freeagent, University of Edinburgh, RBS and more, with 90% saying they’d love to return.

Girls step into a vibrant, futuristic world where technology comes alive. They listen to experts, learn from leaders and explore opportunities that the world of computer science offers, in an immersive experience designed to enthuse and inspire girls - with immersive zones, innovation hubs, and hands-on labs that showcase the wonder of STEM.

“ We want all young people to be enthused by the wonder of STEM… Women in Computing provides girls… a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience.”
Jenny Gilruth MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills technology.

Tell your friends

If you have friends or family with girls at schools in and around Edinburgh, please share – it’s likely their school has been invited. Let’s champion gender equality and inspire every girl to dream, create, and code without limits.