Video Transcript
Earlier this week, Lindsay Foster, Executive Director of Signature released important information concerning the delivery of BSL and the BSL GCSE. Like many others, we are incredibly disappointed that the national awarding bodies for GCSE qualifications, have decided that they will not go ahead with a GCSE in BSL.
We at Signature develop BSL qualifications and would like a GCSE in BSL, as we feel it is a part of our charitable aims. We began a BSL GCSE development in 2015 with a pilot, and in 2018, the Department for Education and Ofqual joined the development. We have been committed for many years.
We have been campaigning for years and would like to thank all the groups and organisations like NDCS, who have been working towards and fighting for this qualification to become a reality.
Discussions with the board at Signature have resulted in plans for a feasibility study to explore other ways we can develop a GCSE in BSL, also to request that Ofqual allow us to become the only BSL GCSE awarding organisation, that is allowed to do one GCSE. With all the work that has been undertaken until now.
This qualification is vital, and we must explore other possibilities properly. This work will be time-consuming, as it is complex, sensitive, and important.
I would like to reiterate Lindsay’s statement that the work will need time and space to do this right. Any news will be shared but we must focus on the work.
I would like to reassure you that the team at Signature will continue to strive to carry out the tasks we have asked them to and will work quickly to move forwards with development.
We are proud of the team’s resilience, dedication, and belief that this work is important. I have no doubt they are the right people to carry this work forward.
Together with our partners, supporters, and communities, we must continue to fight for the BSL GCSE to make sure it becomes a reality, because BSL should be available as a GCSE.
Now we see schools becoming interested in delivering BSL in early years education, the School of Signs has 1700 schools signed up.
Many pupils are keen to learn BSL, and we will continue to work until each and every young person has the opportunity to study BSL at school.
Thank you