#RightToSign - The BSL GCSE Campaign

What is #RightToSign ?

In 2017 a coalition of organisations led by the National Deaf Children’s Society launched the #RightToSign campaign to persuade the Government to introduce a GCSE in British Sign Language (BSL).

All their trailblazing work has started to gain momentum as the Department for Education launched a public consultation seeking views on the draft subject content for the GCSE.

As a deaf-led organisation which provides personal and professional development training in BSL to both deaf and hearing people, we are getting right behind this campaign, and we are asking you to do the same thing by keeping the pressure on the government to ensure the GCSE is delivered as soon as possible.

By responding to the Department for Education’s consultation you will be helping to show the importance of this GCSE and the strength of feeling behind it. We are supporting #RightToSign so that a GCSE in BSL remains a priority for the Government and that the course is delivered as soon as possible.

Respond to the Government Consultation

Why is a GCSE in BSL important?

·        It is fair and right that BSL users should have the opportunity to achieve a GCSE in their own, legally recognised language.

·        The GCSE will be an opportunity to celebrate deaf culture and history in classrooms and create a more inclusive education system.

·        The GCSE will help to break down communication barriers for deaf people that use BSL. If more people know sign language, deaf people who use BSL will have an easier time during everyday activities such as ordering food or seeing their doctor.

·        The BSL GCSE is a key step in achieving equality for BSL as a language. Thanks to the passing of the BSL Act, BSL is one of the official languages of the UK. This means that it has the same status as Welsh and Scots Gaelic. To get BSL on an equal footing with other languages, people need to learn it in school.

·        It’s also a chance for students to learn a new skill and language. Once students have a chance to learn BSL, they may choose to study it further and pursue a career, such as an interpreter – just as they do with French or German.

 If you are a school or other education establishment, perhaps an organisation that provides home-schooling we would like to ask you to complete a survey organised by the coalition. This survey wants to know how much interest there is in the GCSE – and most importantly, how many students would study it and which schools, and education organisations would like to offer it.

Go to the survey here