Context
The British Sign Language (BSL) GCSE is a new qualification aimed at increasing accessibility and recognition of BSL. The Minister for School Standards has been asked about its availability in schools.
Question
When the British Sign Language GCSE will be available in schools. Beyond qualifications, what work is being done to ensure that deaf children and their whole families can access BSL teaching without cost, especially in the early years, when their deaf babies’ brains are developing language skills?
Answer from The Minister for School Standards (Georgia Gould)
This is a really important qualification that is a step forward in opening up British Sign Language. However, the GCSE is a new qualification, and a lot of work is going into ensuring that the new assessment works for a wide range of students. Ofqual has consulted on its proposed assessment arrangements and expects to publish its final qualification rules this autumn. Funding is available through the adult skills fund for qualifications focusing on British Sign Language up to and including level 2.
Not addressed: The timeline for availability of the BSL GCSE in schools was not explicitly provided, only that Ofqual expects to publish its final qualification rules this autumn.
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