St. Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt, launched Coding with Confidence: Empowering Future Female Innovators earlier this year. This is a three-year initiative designed to inspire a passion for programming among all pupils, with a particular focus on encouraging female participation in digital technology and computer science.
Delivered in collaboration with Magherafelt and Rural Learning Partnership and industry partners, the project provides pupils with hands-on coding workshops, mentorship opportunities, coding competitions, career events, and employer engagement activities. Through practical experience with programming languages and digital tools, students will build confidence, strengthen computational thinking skills, and gain insight into the wide range of careers available within the technology sector.
The initiative aims to address the continuing gender imbalance in STEM and digital careers by creating an inclusive and supportive environment where female pupils are encouraged to explore programming and develop technical skills. By connecting students with role models and industry professionals, the programme will help break down barriers that can prevent young women from pursuing careers in technology.
Over the course of the project, pupils will be supported to progress into GCSE and A Level pathways in Software Systems Development and related subjects, opening doors to future study and employment opportunities in the growing digital economy. Through this initiative, St. Mary’s Grammar School is helping to equip the next generation of confident, creative, and tech-savvy innovators for the future.