Government backs down on decision to delay GCSE in sign language following campaign by deaf schoolboy

Children could soon be sitting a GCSE in British Sign Language thanks to a campaign by a deaf schoolboy.

Daniel Jillings, 12, is campaigning for the new exam in time for his GCSEs and his family launched a legal challenge to get one instated as quickly as possible.

The Department for Education had previously said no new GCSEs would be introduced in this parliament, but has backed down on a decision to delay the introduction of the test in sign language.

After submissions Daniel’s family’s lawyers – who argue the lack of a GCSE in British Sign Language (BSL) may be “discriminatory and unlawful” – it said it may consider making an “exception”.

School Standards Minister Nick Gibb said: “We will consider any proposals put forward for a GCSE in British Sign Language. As we have made clear previously, any new GCSE would need to meet the rigorous standards set by both the Department and Ofqual.

“If these expectations are met and a British Sign Language GCSE is ready to be introduced, we will then consider whether to make an exception to our general rule that there should be no new GCSEs in this parliament.”

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Alex Rook, the public law expert at Irwin Mitchell who represents Daniel’s family from Lowestoft, Suffolk, said: “Daniel’s family has always maintained that deaf children such as Daniel should be able to achieve a GCSE in BSL – his first language.

“We are delighted that the Government has backed down from its original position as, at present, the lack of a BSL GCSE is having a major and unnecessary impact on thousands of children each year.

He said any qualification should meet rigorous testing criteria but hailed the announcement as a “major turning point” which would pave the way for deaf children to have access to the education they deserve.

An online crowdfunding appeal raised more than £6,000 towards the legal challenge.

Daniel’s mother Ann Jillings, 50, said: “We are not asking for any special treatment, all we want is for Daniel and other deaf children across the country to be given the same opportunities as other pupils.”

Steve Haines, director of policy and campaigns at the National Deaf Children’s Society, said: “By no longer blocking the introduction of a GCSE in British Sign Language in this Parliament, the Government is sending a powerful signal to deaf children everywhere.

“For so many of these children, being able to learn their first language at school is a vital move towards genuine equality.”

He called for the Department for Education and exam regulator Ofqual to work with exam bodies to develop the GCSE as soon as possible.

“For Daniel Jillings, and for so many of the 45,000 deaf children across the country who want to study a GCSE in British Sign Language, we need a proactive, positive attitude from the Government,” he added.

“Anything less is complete dereliction of duty.”