Signature has submitted a formal response to Ofqual’s consultation on the proposed GCSE in British Sign Language (BSL). As promised, we are sharing our response publicly to ensure transparency and to support wider engagement with this important development in BSL education.
Please take a look at our full response below. For more details on the proposals, you can visit Ofqual, where you can find a full BSL translation of these.
The consultation closes on 25 June 2025 at 23:59
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Language and accessibility of assessments
Question 1
Proposal: Ofqual proposes requirements and guidance about the language and accessibility of assessments.
Question: To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Signature Response: Agree
Question 2
Question: Do you have any comments on the proposed requirements and guidance about the language and accessibility of assessments?
Signature Response: We welcome the accessibility for students who are BSL users.
Vocabulary and grammar
Question 3
Proposal: Ofqual proposes requirements and guidance about the vocabulary and grammar in the qualification.
Question: To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Signature Response: Agree
Question 4
Question: Do you have any comments on the proposed requirements and guidance about vocabulary and grammar in the qualification?
Signature Response: The inclusion of regional variations in the assessments is essential.
It will be a challenge to ensure that the students in the main region chosen for the vocabulary list are not at an advantage over other students as this will be their region of learning and of community use.
Access to dictionaries
Question 5
Proposal: Ofqual proposes prohibiting access to dictionaries in the assessments.
Question: To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Signature Response: Strongly agree
Question 6
Do you have any comments on the proposal to prohibit access to dictionaries in the assessments?
Signature Response: No
Use of stimulus materials
Question 7
Proposal: Ofqual proposes requirements about the use of stimulus materials in assessments.
Question: To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Signature Response: Strongly agree
Question 8
Do you have any comments about the proposed requirements for the use of stimulus materials?
Signature Response: The use of stimulus materials is an effective way to test BSL, especially for receptive skills.
We have found that the challenge with being presented with more information than is typical for other GCSE’s is best being addressed by breaking up the amount of information presented into smaller sections with questions in each section rather than the ability to pause and rewind.
Assessment objectives
Question 9
Proposal: Ofqual proposes making a small amendment to the wording of AO3.
Question: To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Signature Response: Strongly agree
Question 10
Do you have any comments about the proposal to amend the wording for AO3?
Signature Response: No
Assessment objective guidance
Proposed guidance on AO1 Demonstrate understanding of recorded and interactive BSL: 35%
Proposed guidance on AO2 Produce BSL as rehearsed and unrehearsed language: 30%
Proposed guidance on AO3 Articulate signs with accurate use of lexicon and grammar, and with appropriate use of interaction strategies: 20%
Proposed guidance on AO4 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the history of BSL: 15%
Question 11
Proposal: Ofqual proposes guidance for each of the assessment objectives.
Question: To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Signature Response: Agree
Question 12
Do you have any comments about the proposed guidance for the assessment objectives?
Signature Response: We believe AO4 will be a challenge to assess and will require creative thinking from any AO (Awarding Organisation) in the design of the qualification. History of BSL is essential to students learning however, and may be an opportunity for innovation.
We welcome the assurance that marks will not be allocated for the use of English.
The overall structure of the qualification
Proposed requirements about the non-exam assessment
Question 13
Proposal: Ofqual proposes requiring that there are 2 NEA components.
Question: To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Signature Response: Strongly agree
Proposed requirements about the BSL Portfolio
Question 14
Proposal: Ofqual proposes detailed requirements about the “BSL Portfolio”.
Question: To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Signature Response: Strongly agree
Proposed requirements about the Interactive Assessment
Question 15
Proposal: Ofqual proposes detailed requirements about the “Interactive Assessment”.
Question: To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Signature Response: Strongly agree
Question 16
Do you have any comments about the proposals for the NEA requirements?
Signature Response: This is comprehensive and fair allowing students the best opportunity to demonstrate their BSL skills. It allows for a flexible assessment timetable which will alleviate some of the burden on schools.
Compliance with the subject content and assessment requirements
Subject level conditions, requirements and guidance
Question 17
Do you have any comments on the wording of the proposed subject level conditions?
Proposed subject level conditions comments:
Signature Response: No
Question 18
Do you have any comments on the wording of the proposed subject level requirements?
Proposed subject level requirements comments:
Signature Response: No
Question 19
Do you have any comments on the wording of the proposed subject level guidance?
Proposed subject level guidance comments:
Signature Response: No
Equality impact assessment
Question 20
Are there any potential equality impacts that Ofqual has not identified?
Signature Response: No
Question 22
Do you have any suggestions for how any potential negative impacts on particular groups of students could be mitigated?
Signature Response: We believe you have covered this. The main suggestion we have is the use of Plain English where the use of English is required.
Regulatory impact assessment
Question 23
Are there any potential costs or burdens that Ofqual has not identified?
Signature Response: Yes
Question 24
If yes, what are they?
Signature Response: Communication support costs.
Question 25
Are there any steps Ofqual could take to reduce the costs or burdens of the proposals?
Signature Response: No