Ofqual has today set out the rules for the assessment of a
groundbreaking new GCSE in British Sign Language (BSL).
The regulations have been set following a second consultation and
detailed collaborative working with organisations and people
across deaf and hearing communities.
Catherine Large, Executive Director of Policy at Ofqual, said:
The rules represent another significant milestone, a necessary
and important step towards establishing this new and unique
British Sign Language GCSE. It could help bring communities
together by improving communication between deaf and hearing
people.
We are pleased the rules are now in place after detailed work
alongside awarding organisations and BSL subject matter
specialists, including those within the deaf community. We would
like to thank everyone who has helped us to develop the
regulations and those who responded to the consultation.
The regulations ensure the qualification will be high quality and
meet rigorous standards.
Ofqual has now completed its role at this stage as the
qualifications regulator for England. From this point, it would
be for any interested exam boards to develop their specific
offers, which would then go through Ofqual's accreditation
process.
The rules confirmed today are designed to ensure the arrangements
are appropriate for a GCSE qualification for new learners of the
language, and as accessible as possible for students who use BSL
as their first or primary language.
The Department for Education sets the curriculum for the new GCSE
in BSL while Ofqual ensures the assessments are valid, reliable
and fair for all students.
The BSL GCSE will assess students' ability to comprehend BSL,
produce signs accurately, interact using BSL, and demonstrate
understanding of the history of BSL. The qualification includes
both exams and non-exam assessments.
Ofqual has decided to implement all the conditions, requirements
and guidance outlined in its consultation in April. During
the consultation period, Ofqual welcomed feedback from interested
parties through sessions supported by key stakeholder groups in
the deaf community and in response to the online survey.
Responses demonstrated support for the proposals.
The new regulatory requirements cover the language and
accessibility of the assessments; vocabulary and grammar;
prohibiting access to dictionaries; the use of stimulus
materials; the assessment objectives; and the expectations for
non-exam assessments.
To read more about the consultation outcome and Ofqual's decision
on the regulations, Ofqual has published 2 documents today. They
include links to videos in British sign language with subtitles.
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Consultation
Analysis: Rules for GCSE qualifications in British Sign
Language: Analysis of consultation responses.
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Consultation
decisions: Rules for GCSE qualifications in British Sign
Language: Decisions on subject level conditions,
requirements and guidance.
Ofqual has also published the finalised Subject Level Conditions
and Requirements and Subject Level Guidance
on its website.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
-
Ofqual's technical consultation, which launched on April 30,
built on DfE's December 2023 curriculum announcement and
Ofqual's first consultation which looked at high-level
principles for how the qualification will be assessed.
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