BSL GCSE moves another step closer as public consultation is launched

The government has announced a 12-week consultation on the content of a new BSL GCSE, moving another step closer to the new qualification becoming a reality.

The government say that “the qualification will include students being taught to communicate effectively with other signers for use in work, social and academic settings, providing them with valuable life skills welcomed by employers.”

The public consultation can be accessed by clicking here.

The campaign for a GCSE in BSL was sparked by Daniel Jillings, who started campaigning when he was 12. (You can watch a documentary about his journey on the BSL Zone site here).

The qualification has been in development since 2019 but was delayed due to the pandemic, and government now say that they intend for the BSL GCSE to be taught in schools from September 2025.  

The Department for Education (DfE) say they have “been working closely with subject experts, stakeholders and schools to develop proposed content to ensure that this new GCSE is internationally recognised and accepted in school and college performance tables. In line all qualifications, the GCSE will be knowledge-rich, diverse and as challenging as any other GCSE.”

Ofqual Chief Regulator Dr Jo Saxton said: “We want anyone with an interest in this new GCSE subject to tell us what they think about our proposals and whether these allow students the best opportunity to show how well they understand and can use British Sign Language.”

Susan Daniels OBE, Chief Executive of the National Deaf Children’s Society, added: “We know there are incredibly high levels of support for a BSL GCSE among both deaf and hearing students, as well as from their parents. Our recent survey also found teachers overwhelmingly believe sign language would be a useful skill for both deaf and hearing students to learn.”