Years ago a BSL GCSE mooted in Wales, it never got off the ground, why?
GCSE British Sign Language
The work on British Sign Language has taken a different timeline to other subjects as there is no history of teaching BSL as a subject and there is no current GCSE to review and reform. In order to better understand the context in which we’re working, we have undertaken considerable engagement and conducted detailed scoping work.
As reported in our decisions report published in October 2021, there was strong support for developing a made-for-Wales qualification. It is worth noting that from those responses we were unable to determine whether respondents were in favour of developing a qualification for first language users or for learners, or both.
As a result of the research undertaken and conversations with stakeholders, we propose to develop a made-for-Wales GCSE aimed at learners who are learning BSL for the first time. We are proposing this because:
It will help raise the profile of BSL in Wales and enable a more inclusive society.
It will give more young people the opportunity to learn BSL. BSL has been visible on prime-time television programmes which has raised its profile generally and the visibility of positive role models potentially could lead to more people wishing to learn BSL.
It will give schools time to build capacity to deliver BSL at the higher levels of the progression steps.
It will help build a critical mass of BSL users and those who can understand BSL in the workforce of the future.
It will ensure viable numbers for awarding bodies in the medium term although initial numbers completing the GCSE may be modest.
We acknowledge that this may not be a suitable GCSE for fluent and confident users of BSL and are aware that the decision may need to be revisited in the future to offer options for learners developing their communication skills to higher levels.
We will consult on the design proposal for a new GCSE BSL following collaboration with subject experts, practitioners and other stakeholders.
