In a huge moment for the British deaf community and almost two years after it was officially recognised as a language in the UK, British Sign Language is set to be made available as a GCSE. It will be taught in schools as an official GCSE subject in English schools from September 2025 and will be open to all pupils.
The curriculum has been finalised following a 12-week public consultation with input from parents, teachers and organisations within both deaf and hearing communities. Students will learn around 1,000 signs.
BSL isn’t being brought into high schools and colleges immediately because the exams regulator Ofqual first has to review and accredit the syllabus.
The news is thanks in large part to Daniel Jillings, a 17-year-old deaf campaigner who has been fighting to make BSL a language since for the past five years. He told the BBC that the GCSE would be ‘a step towards building equality between deaf and hearing students’.
He added: ‘Deaf students can feel proud of their deaf identity as BSL, and its rich heritage is taught to deaf children and hearing peers. Hearing students can learn BSL and its history and culture, meaning that the language would be respected and embraced.’
Did you see that this Scottish music festival has been named the best in the UK?
Plus: This Welsh cinema has been named Britain’s best tiny attraction.
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out UK newsletter for the latest UK news and the best stuff happening across the country.