GIRLS were empowered to embrace their potential as a school pushed for diversity in male-dominated sectors.

Stereotypes about STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) being boys-only subjects were rebuffed on International Women's Day yesterday.

Young girls at Headington Prep School in Oxford were inspired by a visit from Dr Anna Gloyn, who ran workshops linking to her work in molecular genetics.

The Oxford University professor shared her science passion with pupils, and a Year 4 class got to see DNA 'unfold' using virtual reality technology.

Katie King, head of science at Headington Prep, said: ""While women remain underrepresented in science and the STEM sector, opportunities to see diversity in the people that work in these fields are so valuable - to see that these opportunities are available.

"International Women's Day was a perfect day to mark this, bringing in brilliant role models like Dr Anna Gloyn to show [children] that women work in these critical industries."