Plans to introduce a British Sign Language qualification for secondary schools have been postponed, with officials warning that the finalized syllabus may not appear for several years. The original commitment was to launch the GCSE by September 2025 under a two-year course, which would have led to a level two qualification in BSL—a language that stands as the fourth most widely used in the country.
The delay has provoked strong criticism from a range of voices including deaf charities, parents, and advocacy groups, each urging the government to act more swiftly to satisfy the growing demand for BSL proficiency. Susan Daniels, the chief executive of the National Deaf Children’s Society, conveyed grave disappointment on behalf of many deaf young people who have campaigned for this opportunity over the years.
In contrast to England’s plans, Wales has already abandoned its attempt to introduce this GCSE, citing the impracticalities involved. Meanwhile, the Department for Education in England reassures that it is working closely with Ofqual to develop an exam that is both rigorous and of high quality, although no new rollout date has been established.
For many parents, the issue is deeply personal, as significant financial and emotional investments have been made in learning BSL to better communicate with their deaf children. The prospects of a formal GCSE are seen as transformative not only for families of deaf children, but also for hearing students interested in gaining proficiency in BSL alongside their standard curriculum.
With an estimated 151,000 BSL users in the UK—including 87,000 individuals who are deaf—the delays in introducing this qualification are viewed by critics as a serious setback to inclusivity. Stakeholders worry that the protracted timeline may result in another generation of deaf learners navigating school without the essential tools needed for effective communication with the wider community.