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GCSE: Sign Language

Asked by Mr Will ForsterLiberal DemocratDepartment for EducationTabled Answered 4 April 2025UIN 42158

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a British Sign Language GCSE.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell

The department is in the process of developing a British Sign Language (BSL) GCSE. This landmark GCSE is an important step towards greater recognition of BSL as a language and will foster better communication between Deaf and hearing communities.

The department published subject content for the BSL GCSE in December 2023. Ofqual, the independent qualifications regulator, is developing assessment arrangements and will launch a technical consultation on this in due course.

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