Today (Wednesday 2nd October 2024) Qualification Wales have announced that they have taken the difficult decision to suspend the development of a made-for-Wales GCSE in British Sign Language in Wales, stating significant practical challenges.
Signature are extremely disappointed by this news, that we are sure will be shared by many organisations and individuals. We are committed to supporting Qualification Wales in understanding more about the significant practical challenges they reference and, how we can share our understanding, as well as work together to overcome these to see a BSL GCSE in Wales in the future.
We understand there will be a lot of frustration and disappointment within the sector, we share this.
Signature will continue to engage with Qualification Wales to ensure that their Skills for Life qualifications, which include British Sign Language, are offered in as many schools as possible, to as many students as possible.
Qualification Wales said: “From 2027 learners in Wales will have an opportunity to study BSL as part of the new National Qualifications offer. BSL units will be available in our new Skills for Life qualification. These should enable a far greater number of schools to offer qualifications that include BSL with more learners able to develop practical skills for social interaction in everyday settings.
The BSL units (from entry level to level 2) will offer an engaging way for learners to demonstrate their BSL skills. The units will be manageable for schools and lend themselves to peripatetic teaching, making good use of the existing teacher workforce.”
Lindsay Foster, Executive Director at Signature said: “It’s disappointing that after so much work this difficult decision has been made. We will be sharing with Qualification Wales our research on the demand for a GCSE in BSL, as well as the evidence of sufficient teaching supply in Wales for launch, which has been developed as part of the GCSE Coalition group work.
I have spoken with hundreds of schools and teachers, across Wales, at the National Education Show in Llandudno, who expressed an interest in delivering this as part of their language options. We will continue to push for this to make this a possibility for them.”
John Walker, Chair of Signature said: “We are committed to getting a GCSE in to as many schools across the UK as possible, our goal is that every school can offer BSL as part of their curriculum. Although today’s news is disappointing, our commitment doesn’t change, we are still the leaders for deaf education in the UK and will continue to work tirelessly to improve communication, by creating learning opportunities for every stage of life.
Whilst we appreciate the introduction of BSL within Skills for Life qualification, the lack of a BSL GCSE will be particularly disappointing for the BSL community who will not be able to study for a GCSE in their first language alongside their peers.”
