Deaf charities have welcomed a public consultation on a GCSE in British Sign Language (BSL) described as a “momentous step forward” in the proposed qualification becoming reality.
Campaigners have been calling for a GCSE in BSL, a native British language used by tens of thousands of people and legally recognised language*, for more than a decade. But it is not yet available as a GCSE subject that can be taught in schools in England.
It is estimated that around 10% of deaf children use sign language in their education so a BSL GCSE would be a vital move towards genuine equality. It would also ensure that deaf children do not get left behind.
It is hoped this qualification will help to breakdown communication barriers between deaf and hearing people and educate more people about the deaf community and culture, creating a more accessible society.
Signature, the awarding body for deaf communication qualifications in the UK, have been working on a GCSE proposal for over 12 years and have previously piloted a BSL GCSE, which received positive feedback. Half of those who took part said they would study BSL further.
It was then a campaign led by deaf young people, that eventually led to the Government backing down on their initial decision to not introduce a GCSE in the 2017 Parliamentary session and agreeing to start work on the BSL GCSE.
In October 2019, the Department for Education confirmed it was working with subject experts to develop content for the BSL GCSE. The current aim is for the BSL GCSE to be taught in schools by September 2025.
Reacting to the news that the Department for Education and Ofqual have today released their GCSE in BSL consultation documents, Lindsay Foster, Executive Director at Signature said: “It’s great to get the public consultation out there, so that the public can see what a GCSE in BSL could look like.
“We have been working towards a BSL GCSE for over 12 years now, so this feels like a milestone moment. What is important now is that people have their say on subject content and we look forward to seeing the outcome of that.
“From the secondary schools we have spoken with, around 60% have told us that they would like to offer this as part of their curriculum. We really hope that over the years to come we see this in as many schools as possible.”
Susan Daniels OBE, Chief Executive of the National Deaf Children’s Society, said: “We’re delighted that a GCSE in British Sign Language (BSL) is now a step closer. It’s only fair and right that BSL users should have the opportunity to achieve a GCSE in their own, legally recognised language.
“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.
“We expect the first cohort of school pupils will be able to begin their studies for a BSL GCSE in September 2025. It’s important that this timescale is kept, so that no more young people miss out on this opportunity.”
Rebecca Mansell, Chief Executive of the British Deaf Association said “The British Deaf Association (BDA) and the whole of the BSL community are very excited that at long last our language is gaining visibility. We now have an Act of Parliament, passed in 2022, in support of our language; we have the BSL Advisory Board, established to guide Government action.
There is a sense of real momentum and ambition to take BSL forward.
The BDA is thrilled to see these plans for a BSL GCSE taking shape, in keeping with our aim to see BSL much more widely used throughout society. It is now crucial that plans for the study of BSL in schools will sustainably deliver high-quality, Deaf-led teaching so that learners are able to attain fluency and to enter the workforce with the ability to communicate fully with Deaf colleagues and citizens.
BSL is a dynamic, dramatic language like no other which delights students whenever they get to engage with its clarity and richness.”
Martine Monksfield, Past President of The British Association of Teachers of Deaf Children and Young People said: ”For GCSE BSL to be offered to deaf and hearing young people in a mainstream secondary setting will open up doors for wider society to incorporate BSL into everyday life; the daily deaf awareness in these settings and for young people to go on to use BSL in further education, work and general society as 2nd nature. This will make a huge impact on how BSL is viewed and respected as a language long-term in several ways”.
Daniel Jilling’s, a deaf teenager who has campaigned for a GCSE in BSL for more than four years, described the qualification as “vital”. Daniel, aged 17, and from Lowestoft in Suffolk, was born profoundly deaf without a cochlea so he cannot use hearing aids or cochlear implants. He does not use speech, so BSL is his first language.
Daniel said: “Hopefully a GCSE in BSL will be ready by 2025. I will have finished my A Levels by then, but I will be happy to know deaf students will be able to access an exam in their own language in the future.”
The teenager, who spoke at a parliamentary reception earlier this year about the importance of deaf awareness and specialist education support for deaf young people, added: “It will also allow hearing students to learn BSL so they can improve their awareness of the deaf community.”
Signature has reviewed the content of the consultation documents and compared it with their current Level 2 qualification and believe it has all the components to be a successful GCSE.
The purpose of the consultation is to gain feedback on the proposed subject content requirements which will form the basis of the new GCSE in BSL. Once the consultation has been received, reviewed and any necessary requirements changed, it can be offered by an accredited awarding body.
On 15th June 2023, Ofqual released the GCSE in British Sign Language consultation document. The consultation will last for 12 weeks, anyone can provide feedback in written English or BSL and the feedback can be provided here: https://ofqual.citizenspace.com/public/proposed-assessment-arrangements-gcse-bsl/
Following a review of the consultation document and a meeting between key stakeholders (Signature, the National Deaf Children’s Society, British Deaf Association, BATOD, ABSLTA), the stakeholders have agreed to publicly share the feedback that has been agreed between the co-op of organisations.
Signature have also created a glossary of the terms used within the consultation, which includes what they are referred to within the current Level 2 BSL qualification and an explanation of what is meant by each term.
The glossary can be found here – https://www.signature.org.uk/bsl-glossary-2/
Ofqual Consultation Feedback
Proposal: GCSEs in BSL should have one set of assessments for all levels of attainment (assessments that are not tiered).
Q1. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree
Q2. Do you have any comments about GCSEs in BSL having one set of assessments for all levels of attainment (assessments that are not tiered)? No
We welcome that this qualification would be for all students to be included at the same level.
*A non-exam assessment refers to a ‘non-traditional’ exam (i.e. sitting down in an exam hall) it does not mean no exam. The current assessments carried out by Signature at level 2 for Presentation and Conversation are done in a ‘non-exam’ way.
Proposal: GCSEs in BSL should include non-exam assessment (NEA) to assess students’ productive and interactive language skills.
Q3. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree
Proposal: Non-exam assessment (NEA) should account for 60% of the total qualification marks.
Q4. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree
Q5. Do you have any comments about the proposals for non-exam assessment?
We agree that a non-exam assessment is the best method for assessing BSL exams. Dependant on the method of assessment for the remaining 40%.
Proposal: GCSEs in BSL should have the 4 proposed assessment objectives.
Q6. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree
Q7. Do you have any comments about the proposed assessment objectives?
The objectives are clear, and similar to the current Signature Level 2 assessment, this is again dependant on the method of assessment for objective AO4.
Suggestion: Ofqual is considering requiring GCSEs in BSL to have assessments in both languages so that exams are offered in English and in BSL.
Q8. Do you have any comments about the suggestion for assessments in both languages?
We welcome BSL users being able to take all assessments in their first language.
We would be concerned over any plans for a written English paper that could restrict BSL users being able to complete this qualification.
Suggestion: Ofqual is considering including these additional assessment expectations in the regulatory requirements.
Q9. Do you have any comments about these suggested assessment expectations?
We feel this is fair.
Q10. Are there any potential equality impacts that Ofqual has not identified?
No
We believe it has already been identified, we are keen to make sure first language BSL users are not penalised in any way through the assessment methodology.
Q11. Do you have any suggestions for how any potential negative impacts on particular groups of students could be mitigated?
To make sure that this is accessible for first language BSL users, there needs to be the ability for AOs to be flexible in their assessment approach.
Q12. Are there any potential costs or burdens that Ofqual has not identified?
Yes
If this was to be a dual language GCSE (i.e. written paper) – the cost and burden would significantly increase for AOs if long written papers had to be translated to be accessible for first language users.
Q13. Are there any steps Ofqual could take to reduce the costs or burdens of the proposals?
We strongly believe that it is more important that the right approach is taken to this qualification, making it accessible for all, and would prioritise this over any additional cost implications.
On 15th June 2023, the Department for Education released the GCSE in British Sign Language consultation document. The consultation will last for 12 weeks, anyone can provide feedback in written English or BSL and the feedback can be provided here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/gcse-british-sign-language-bsl-proposed-subject-content
The purpose of the consultation is to gain feedback on the proposed subject content requirements that will form the basis of the new GCSE in BSL.
These requirements are designed to become a regulatory document which will set out in technical language the minimum knowledge, understanding and skills needed for the GCSE. The subject content provides the framework for awarding organisations to create the detail of qualification specifications; these specifications will set out for teachers in more detail what students will study.
Any awarding organisation that offers the GCSE will provide resources to support schools, and stakeholder organisations can also support its teaching.
Following a review of the consultation document and a meeting between key stakeholders (Signature, the National Deaf Children’s Society, British Deaf Association, BATOD, ABSLTA), the stakeholders have agreed to publicly share the feedback that has been agreed between the co-op of organisations.
Signature have also created a glossary of the terms used within the consultation, which includes what they are referred to within the current Level 2 BSL qualification and an explanation of what is meant by each term.
The glossary can be found here – https://www.signature.org.uk/bsl-glossary-2/
Department for Education Consultation feedback
Q1 – 11 – Personal information
Q12. Are the subject aims easy to understand, clear and unambiguous?
Yes
The aims of developing the ability to communicate using BSL on a range of themes and topics and to allow students to demonstrate accurate use of BSL is similar to the aims of current Level two qualifications available.
Enabling students to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the history and development of sign language enhances the learning and use of the language by understanding the culture.
Q13 – Q19: Subject content
The following seven questions are about the requirements set out in the subject content.
Q13. Overall is the proposed subject content easy to understand, clear and unambiguous?
Yes
The subject content is similar to that of current BSL qualifications available and already being delivered in centres around the country.
Q14. The GCSE assumes no previous knowledge of BSL. With this in mind do you agree that the proposed subject content is at an appropriate level of difficulty?
Yes
The current Level 1 and Level 2 BSL qualifications that are being taught at centres around the country is delivered to students with and without prior knowledge of BSL.
Q15. Paragraph 8a of the proposed subject content details the requirements for the comprehension of BSL. Do you agree with these requirements?
Yes
The information provided in Paragraph 8a can be compared to the receptive elements of currently available Level 2 BSL qualifications.
Q16. Paragraph 8b of the proposed subject content details the requirements for the production of BSL. Do you agree with these requirements?
Yes
The information provided in Paragraph 8b can be compared to the productive elements of currently available Level 2 BSL qualifications.
Q17. Paragraph 8c of the proposed subject content details the requirements for interaction in BSL. Do you agree with these requirements?
Yes
The information provided in Paragraph 8c can be compared to the conversational elements of currently available Level 2 BSL qualifications.
Q18. Paragraph 9 of the proposed subject content requires that specifications in BSL should enable students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the history of BSL. Do you agree with the requirements on BSL history?
Do you agree with the requirements on BSL history?
Yes
The history and development of BSL should be part of teaching at this level. Including the history of BSL ensures students understand more about the language, the culture, and the community. This knowledge will also enhance communication skills and improve equality and awareness.
Q19 – Q20: Annex A – BSL Terminological Definitions and Parameters
The following two questions are about Annex A.
Q19. Are the proposed terminological definitions and parameters, set out in Annex A, easy to understand, clear and unambiguous?
Yes
Signature have added additional definitions to their website which may provide more information and alternative explanations to some of the terminological definitions and parameters as well as comparisons to some of the terms used in the current Signature qualifications.
Q20. In order to understand, produce and interact in BSL at GCSE, students will be expected to know:
- at least 750 signs from the established lexicon;
- the 26 letters of the British two-handed manual alphabet and numerals, both cardinals and ordinals (in addition to the 750 signs).
Do you agree with these proposed requirements?
Yes
These requirements are similar to those required by the current Level Two BSL qualification available.
Q21. Annex B – Grammar Requirements for British Sign Language at GCSE
The following question is about Annex B.
Are the proposed grammar requirements, set out in Annex B, easy to understand, clear and unambiguous?
Yes
Signature have added additional definitions to their website which may provide more information and alternative explanations to some of the grammar requirements as well as comparisons to some of the grammar used in the current Signature qualifications.
Q22: Annex C – BSL Vocabulary
The following question is about Annex C.
Q22. Annex C provides a list of 1000 commonly used BSL signs from the established lexicon. The Department has proposed this is an advisory list for which awarding organisations can use to help select vocabulary when writing GCSE specifications.
Do you agree that this list should be advisory?
Yes
This is similar to current Signature qualifications dependant on Themes and Topics required to be covered within the qualification.
Q23: General
The following question is general and allows you to provide feedback on anything that you wish to, which has not been asked.
Q23. Is there anything you would like to feedback that is not covered in the questions above?
Yes
It is not stated but the teaching of deaf Awareness should be included alongside the history of BSL and learning the language.
In addition, we feel the content and proposals in this consultation provide a strong foundation at GCSE level on which further knowledge, increased ability to communicate, and greater and deeper understanding into history and culture can be developed at A Level.
Q24. Do any of the proposals have the potential to have a disproportionate impact positive or negative, on specific groups, in particular those who share a ‘protected characteristic’ (age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation)?
No
Q25. How could the proposed subject content of the GCSEs be altered to:
better eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Equality Act 2010; better advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a protected characteristic and those who do not; better foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.
The proposed subject content addresses these areas well, dependant on the assessment methodology in the Ofqual consultation.