Right to Sign - our British Sign Language (BSL) GCSE campaign

Campaign latest update: BSL GCSE in England unlikely to launch in September 2025 

Find out why we're campaigning on this issue and what stage our campaign has reached.

Why a GCSE in BSL is important: 

• It’s 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 break down communication barriers for deaf people that use BSL. If more people know sign language, deaf people who use BSL to communicate 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 it has the same status as Welsh and Scots Gaelic. To get BSL on an equal footing with other languages, people need to be able 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.

Where is the campaign now?

• British Sign Language GCSE subject content announced
   
• Read our blog to see what stage the campaign is at: Reflecting on our Right to Sign campaign.
  
  
• Take a look at the Right to Sign campaign timeline.