Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, for what reasons speed skating was not included as one of the options available in A-level PE courses for the current academic year.

The subject content for GCSE and A-level PE was revised in 2015 to address concerns that the previous GCSE and A level courses were not of comparable rigor to other subjects, did not provide suitable progression and had led to inequalities in assessment.

As part of these revisions, the activity list was reviewed to ensure that all activities could be assessed reliably, were of comparable demand amongst pupils, and were manageable for schools to assess. The inclusion or non-inclusion of sports does not represent a view on the legitimacy or value of the activity.

The government will review the activity list in autumn 2018, following the first examinations next summer. We will agree this process with the exam boards and announce details closer to the time.