Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of the potential effect of withdrawal of the archaeology A-level on the number of students taking that subject at undergraduate level.

It is disappointing that AQA has taken the decision to withdraw from offering these subjects at A level. Neither subject, however, is a pre-requisite for degree level study, and both are taken by a relatively small number of students.

The option for AQA or another exam board to develop A level specifications for these subjects in future will also remain open. We are in discussion with the exam boards on this issue.